As Californians, fiscal crises don’t faze us but as college students, shrinking budgets hurt us tremendously.”The biggest difference I’ve noticed this year, is how the amount of choices offered in distance education have shrunk,” said Edwin Gonzalez, a 20-year-old, art major from Oxnard College.All general funding from the state is sent to the district which in turn, distributes the money to each college depending on the different variables such as enrollment and cost increases. The distribution process, which was approved by the Ventura Community College District Board of Trustees, is called the Allocation Model.The Allocation Model is a study group comprised of members of the colleges and communities that determine key factors such as daily attendance and accreditation requirements that affect the need for a specific resource. After each factor is weighed, specific allocation units for each campus or facility are calculated and then converted into dollar amounts.”The fact that we will not be receiving any significant additional funding in the foreseeable future will likely limit the ability of the college to offer an expanded class schedule and restrict the hiring of new staff and faculty,” said Ray Di Guilio, Moorpark College’s Vice President of Business Services.In fiscal year 2007, the Board of Trustees established a rainy day fund in the event the state went into budget shortfalls and for other reasons such as fluctuating enrollment and an increase in operating expenses. The fund maintains a state-required minimum prudent reserve of 5%.Although there have been many constraints and cutbacks, one bright spot for students happened at the tail end of this past summer. Congress passed the first revisions to the Higher Education Act on August 1 and President Bush signed the bill August 14, allowing for more students to attend Ventura, Oxnard and Moorpark College that would have otherwise not afforded the opportunity.Federal Pell Grants will continually increase until doubling in 2014. An added bonus is the ability to use the money year-round instead of being limited to fall and spring.One other important highlight is the new “loan forgiveness” program where grads that enter a needed field can have their college debt quashed. Some of the needed professions will include math, science, technology and engineering.”I would totally consider changing my major if that meant I got my loans wiped clean,” said Kate Williams, an 18-year-old, communications major from Ventura College.Ventura, Oxnard and Moorpark colleges have grown by roughly 7 percent from the spring of 2006 to the fall of 2008, according to the student headcount enrollment report maintained by the Ventura County Community College District.”We are one of the few community college districts in the state that are not being drastically affected this current year due to our enrollment growth from last year,” said Di Guilio.For students struggling with their finances a few ways to alleviate the pain is to consider car pooling or arranging their schedule to reduce the amount of automotive trips to campus. Distance learning is another great way to save money on transportation costs. Mr. Di Guilio also suggests all students keep their college textbooks in good shape so that they retain their resale value.The most important and indispensable tool at your service for fiscal help is the Financial Aid Office at your school.