Bill > AB313

This bill amends existing California law to expand the Student Aid Commission's authority to postpone financial aid application deadlines. Currently, the commission can extend deadlines by up to 30 calendar days if a formal request is submitted or if a state of emergency is declared by the Governor or President. The new provision would allow the commission to grant a similar deadline extension without a formal request specifically when there is a delay in the opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as declared by the commission. This change aims to provide more flexibility for students who might be affected by administrative delays in the federal financial aid application process. The bill applies to various state financial aid programs, including Cal Grant programs and the Middle Class Scholarship Program. When granting such extensions, the commission must notify multiple state officials, publish the new deadline on its website, and track and report on the number and nature of these deadline postponements to legislative committees. The goal is to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by administrative or systemic delays in the financial aid application process.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB313