California's higher education systems are expected to cut 150,000 full-time students over the next eighteen months. With a $20 billion state budget deficit, more cuts are probably coming.
Fortunately, some members of Congress have introduced H.R. 4196, which would provide $700 million for emergency funding to America's community colleges. The funds would be used exclusively to maintain or increase enrollment beyond existing state-funded levels.
To make sure H.R. 4196 gets a fair hearing in the House, we need as many co-sponsors as possible.
Call your member of Congress today and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 4196, which would fund 22,000 full-time students in California's community colleges.
Facts:
California's higher education systems are expected to reduce full-time enrollment by 150,000 over the next eighteen months, with 110,000 slots eliminated in community colleges alone.
With California's largest high school graduating class ever and 2.3 million unemployed residents, community colleges are seeing skyrocketing enrollment demand at a time of deep budget cuts.
The state's $20.7 billion deficit will prohibit it from maintaining essential college access until the economy fully recovers.
A modest federal investment protecting community college access now will be repaid quickly, as shown by a recent study demonstrating that students who earn a vocational degree or certificate in a California community college increase their wages by 50% in three years, from an average wage of $28,087 annually to $53,828.
H.R. 4196 would fund 22,000 full-time students in California's community colleges, and should be approved by Congress.
Member of Congress
Mike Thompson (D-CD01) Phone: (202) 225-3311 Fax: (202) 225-4335
