By Olivia Walker
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Concern over President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts has caused many Camden County College students to become worried about the future of their careers. If funding is cut, programs such as the arts and beauty sciences may be subject to reduction because of the lack of financial aid that will be available for future enrollment.
These proposed budget cuts may have a direct effect on future Camden County College students enrolling in these majors. Vocational studies such as the arts, social work and cosmetology offer unique education for students who want a more creative career. Currently, students on the Blackwood campus are able to use their Pell Grants and state aid to cover the costs of attendance for these courses. Without the recognition of these courses’ importance, students may have to rely on funding their education with higher out of pocket costs compared to other recognized majors.
With the fear of reduction in financial aid for vocational students, there are many different options for financing a student’s future at Camden County College. For the arts, students will have the opportunity to enroll in “payment plans … usually month to month if they set it up early,” said Theresa Zawrotny, a financial aid counselor.
Since Trump’s proposed budget has yet to go into effect, the financial aid office has made it clear to not panic about the future for financial aid but to ensure that students stay updated on governmental proposals that may affect specific majors. If the proposed budget goes into effect, Zawrotny explains that Camden County College would provide “… some type of warning when things are going into effect,” so students will be notified if there have been any changes to their financial aid status based on their major.
Cosmetology has been confirmed to not be as impacted. Nicole Pomales, the overseer of the cosmetology program on the Camden City campus, said cosmetology “programs don’t qualify for federal aid, they’re cash pay, so it doesn’t affect us.” Although the proposed budget for less aid would not affect future enrollment since it is cash pay for classes, it is important to consider the steep out of pocket cost for the degree completion and it is highly recommended to seek outside scholarships and grants to help reduce the cash cost of attendance.
Although the financial aid department has strategic plans for assisting students affected by Trump’s proposed budget, students in these fields are still feeling worried about the future of their careers. Many undergraduates feel disheartened and unmotivated because of the proposal.
Alex Loftus, a fine arts major, has complex emotions about the future of his career. He explains that if financial aid was reduced, he would “probably not go to college” to support his career and “love for art.” If the proposed budget is approved, he feels that many students would be “less likely to pursue our careers and we would be forced to do careers that we don’t want to do, like corporate.”