Packed lines and crowded corridors decorated what just weeks ago, was a desolate looking façade of a college campus.

One of the major headaches for students and staff on the first few days of school has traditionally been FAFSA registration. For one reason or another people fail to get their paperwork processed in time to make the deadline resulting in a delay on their financial aid award.

According to Phillip Rodriguez, Director of Student Affairs, students often blame the administration for their dilemma. However, as far back as November 2001 the Financial Aid Department has run an ad urging students to beat the financial aid funnel and turn their forms in early.

“Students are urged to start early and preferably over the net. That way, students can avoid the financial aid funnel. As an institution we provide the students with help. We do that as an office to the best of our abilities.

On the other hand, students must accept their responsibilities and commitments,” Dr. Rodriguez commented.

The Cerritos College Financial Aid office is looking into making changes to its website. According to Dr. Rodriguez, this website will answer the top three questions students ask concerning financial aid:

1. Where am I in the financial aid process?

2. How much will I be awarded?

3. When am I going to receive an award?

Within five years there will be substantial changes to the way FAFSA applications are processed. ” In the future Financial Aid applications will be restricted to the Internet. There will no longer be a manual application form,” Dr. Rodriguez said, explaining the purpose of the website.

The number of students receiving Pell Grants has grown substantially since 1989 from 805 to 5,604 in 2002. The award payments have gone from $747,551 to $11,929,016. The students awarded fee waivers has also increase from 903 in 1989 to 12,460 in 2002.

“Remember, staff does not put holds on you. The Federal Government randomly selects 30% of all applicants for verification.” Rodriguez said.