Background on Community College Budgets

By Andrea N. Leiderman

The State controls the budgets of community colleges -- there is little local control.

· The State funds community colleges. · Student fees go to the State, not to local districts. · The State gives revenue to community colleges per "student hour". · The State caps enrollment at each community college. · Above the State cap, the State pays nothing for each student. · The State limits how colleges can raise revenues. · Example: The State sets parking fees, parking fines & driving citations. · Many programs are funded by State grants and when grants are eliminated or ended, positions end (staff hired for grant programs realize the jobs will end). · UCs receive about $21,000 per full time student (FTES) while CSUs receive about $14,000 and CCs receive about $7000. · California ranks 41st in funding for CCs. · If FHDA were funded at the national average, it would have $40 million more. · Community colleges are vital institutions proving education to allow students to transfer to four-year schools, or get job retraining or career certifications.