UTICA - Things are a little tense at Utica College. The faculty recently learned student financial aid is on the chopping block - and may be cut to reduce the state's growing deficit.

"It could have devastating effects on our programs on our students for some of our students it's going to mean they won't be able to afford coming to college," Flossie Mitchell, director of Young Scholars, LPP

The news from the "Commission on Independent Colleges and Universitie" has directors for the school's various financial aid programs trying to come up with ways to handle the situation...should the outcome not be in their favor.

"At this point, with such short notice, we don't know how we're going to advise our students, because they're going to have turn around quickly and they don't have a lot of avenues open to them," said Johnni Mahdi, Director of opportunity Programs.

If the proposal is passed, the cut would go into effect immediately and that would put 90% of Utica College's student body in financial limbo.

That 90% includes senior Marissa Falitico, who works a part time job and receives TAP funding.

"We only have a week and a half, and we're worried about getting our books right now and our schedules and now we have something else to worry about," Falitico said.

She still plans to see her senior year through, even if there is a cut. But for her and other seniors, it might be a struggle to pay the bills at the end of the year.

The State Legislature meets for a special "economic" session on August 19 to vote on what gets cut from the budget.