What does "FTES" Mean?
FTES stands for “Full Time Equivalent Student,” an accounting method the State uses to determine the amount of funding it allocates to community colleges. Each FTES is the equivalent of 525 contact hours.
Every year, the state establishes the level of enrollments (FTES) that translates into funding for the College. The state does not fund enrollments above the established level of funding. Now the College is required to cut its FTES by a number equivalent to the $2.6 million reduction in its base apportionment funding. This translates into 300 FTES for the SBCC CE Division. Funding for CE is based on noncredit FTES.
Noncredit FTES – Enhanced Funded:
A course involving career development or college preparation is eligible for enhanced funding if it satisfies the requirements
of Education Code sections 84750.5 and 84760.5 and Title 5, Section 55151 or 55152 of the regulations. The noncredit enhanced-funded
FTES rate in 2009-2010 is $3,232.07 Noncredit categories that are eligible for enhanced funding are as follows:*
- Short-term vocational with high employment potential (Career-Technical Education)
- Elementary and secondary basic skills
- English as a Second Language or Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL)
- Workforce preparation courses in the basic skills of speaking, listening, reading, writing, mathematics, decision-making and problem solving skills that are necessary to participate in job-specific technical training
Noncredit FTES – Non-Enhanced:
Courses that qualify for funding under categories other than the four categories listed above, are funded at a regular, non-enhanced
FTES rate. The (regular, non-enhanced) noncredit FTES rate for 2010 is $2,744.96
Community Service Courses:
Classes that do not qualify for State funding must be self-supporting and therefore require tuition fees. Generally speaking,
classes that fall into this category are those that are considered to be “avocational,” “enrichment,” and “recreational.”
* Source: Chancellor’s Office Addendum to Title 5 Guidelines, Part I, June 25, 2008
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