Applications for financial aid at Peninsula College have nearly doubled over the course of the past two years, even though enrollment has increased by only about 37 percent.
“I am concerned with the future of the state budget in general and the sustainability of what we do,” said Krista Francis, director of enrollment services and financial aid.
Financial aid applications increased by about 92 percent in the last two years.
In fall 2008, the college had 1,368 full-time students and 588 financial aid applications.
By fall 2009, the enrollment had risen to 1,559 full-time students and 792 financial aid applications.
This fall quarter, the enrollment grew to 1,875 full-time students and 1,129 applications.
By the time financial aid applications were due, many forms of financial aid had run out, Francis said.
Some financial aid such as the federal Pell Grant or Stafford Loan never run out, but the state grants and institutional scholarships were waning by Dec. 3, when the last applications for winter quarter were due, she said.
“Our state-need grant allocation changes year-to-year based on served and unserved students from the prior year,” Francis said.
“This year, we received more than we’ve received in the past.
“So . . . it wasn’t reduced for us this year because we had so many unserved students last year.
“Even with the increase in state-need grant allocations, we still ran out early.”
Although enrollment increased, because the applications for aid have increased by so much more, Francis said, she believes unemployment and other factors have played the primary roles in requests for aid.
“I think that the increase in financial aid applications is a sign of how our economy is,” she said.
“Yes, enrollment is up, but financial aid applications are up even higher than enrollment.”
Coupled with economic factors, students also face higher tuition rates, with an increase of 14 percent in tuition over the past two years.
Gov. Chris Gregoire’s preliminary budget also suggested a 10 percent increase in the next two years.
Even though it is too late to apply for financial aid for the winter quarter, which begins in January, prospective students for the fall quarter can find out more information at the College Goal Sunday on Jan. 30.
The event, which will begin at 2 p.m. in the Science and Technology Building, will have information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The application — commonly known as the FAFSA — is the primary way students apply for aid at any college or university in the nation.
Students planning on going to any university or college may attend the free fair for more information on the process, Francis said.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
