APTOS -- Cabrillo College students soon could face larger classes, longer lines for counseling and fewer open hours in the library as the state financial crisis forces the popular community college to trim millions from its budgets.

College leaders must find a way to make up for $900,000 in funds that are no longer coming for the 2007-2008 fiscal year, which ends June 30. For 2008-09, Cabrillo faces a $1.5 million shortfall, as state property tax revenues continue to come in below original projections. That number is subject to change in May, when the governor's revised state budget is released.

The college's operating budget is roughly $60 million each year.

As administrators look for ways to cut costs, students fear they could have a more difficult time taking advantage of computer labs and financial aid advisers, among other services.

"We anticipate longer lines in admissions and records, as well as financial aid and counseling," said student body president Marko Realmonte. "We anticipate shorter hours in learning and computer labs, and possibly shorter hours in the library. We anticipate larger class sizes and fewer choices when picking class times due to fewer sections being offered."

The cuts come as the state grapples with an $8 billion budget deficit. Already, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said half of that would be taken from funding for K-12 schools. Community colleges are facing a 10 percent, across-the-board funding reduction in operating expenses.

The funding for Cabrillo's ongoing construction will not be affected because it comes from different sources.

So far, Cabrillo leaders have not been forced to issue pink slips.

"We're trying very hard to keep it away from the classroom and not lay off any staff," said Cabrillo Trustee John Leopold.

Adding to that challenge, however, is a spike in student enrollment. Cabrillo's student population is up 4 to 6 percent over March of last year, King said, a common trend when the economy turns sour.

Cabrillo's student body totals almost 16,000 students, with about 5,300 of those attending classes full-time.

"It's the craziness when the economy slows down," King said.

County residents turn to Cabrillo to learn new job skills, he said, but "the state budget decreases the amount of resources we have to meet that need."