Sacramento–The Governor signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino aimed at increasing the amount of federal student financial aid for California’s community college students.  Beginning on January 1, 2008, community colleges will be able to notify their students about all financial aid options available to them, especially federal dollars which California community college students routinely don’t use.

“Our community college students receive Federal Pell Grants at a significantly lower rate than the national average, and even less than UC and CSU undergraduates, even though Californians pay for these grants through their federal taxes,” said Portantino.  “"California cannot leave federal money on the table at the same time students are struggling to afford a college education.  I’m extremely pleased the Governor signed this bill to help get California’s fair share of federal student financial aid.”

According to a legislative analysis of AB 668, students do not participate in federal student aid programs at a rate equal to other community college students in the nation.  Recent reports cite a range of reasons for this lack of participation, one of which is lack of awareness among students of their student aid opportunities.  Many students do not know that federal grant money is available to help pay for items other than fees (such as books, food, rent) or that middle-income families may be eligible.  The analysis goes on to mention that if students were to improve their Pell participation rate to meet the national average for other community colleges, federal funds could increase to California by nearly $400 million.  AB 668 will provide more notification to students of their financial aid options so that California students can receive their fair share of federal student financial aid dollars.

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino was elected to serve the 44th Assembly District in November of 2006. The district encompasses Altadena, Duarte, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Temple City.  It also includes portions of Arcadia, Monrovia, Mayflower Village and the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods of Glassell Park, Hermon, Highland Park, Mount Washington and Eagle Rock.