The state budget deficit has led to a cut in state work study aid and some child care assistance for Minnesota college students. The Minnesota Board of Higher Education had to make the cuts to maintain grants, which legally must be retained.

But Judy Robeck, financial aid director at Riverland Community College isn't worried.

All students who had state work study will be awarded federal work study to replace it, she said.

Students have not yet been notified of the change, but only 80 of the 3,000 students at Riverland received state work study dollars.

Some of the state work-study money actually is returned to the state, Robeck said.

"In the past, students have under-utilized those dollars," she said. "It's never been an issue."

Nicole Koser just completed two years of generals at Riverland and plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the fall. She has been awarded federal and state work study during her two years at Riverland, which amounts to about $2,000 a semester.

She said she is not sure how much work study she receives from the state so she does not know how it will affect her financially. She will get financial aid from the U of M, but has not received her financial aid package yet.

"I haven't taken out loans so far, but I probably will," Koser said.

Koser works 16 to 20 hours a week at the admissions office and for one year her work-study job was the only one she had.

"It was a really good thing," said Koser, who is studying chemical engineering. "It helped a lot."

Riverland also is trying to help students who need child care assistance. They are looking into foundations and grants that would replace the funds lost from the state, Robeck said.

"I'm feeling is very positive that even though this is happening, we are being proactive," she said.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com