Bill > AB1035

This bill modifies the California College Promise program by extending fee waiver eligibility for students pursuing community college baccalaureate degree programs. Specifically, the bill allows first-time and returning community college students who enroll full-time and transition into upper-division coursework of a community college baccalaureate degree program to receive fee waivers for an additional two academic years. The bill provides context about the current state of higher education in California, noting that as of 2023, the state has an average student loan debt of $37,400, and there are significant educational disparities among racial groups, with less than 15% of Latinx and 30% of Black Californians holding baccalaureate degrees compared to over 40% of White Californians. The legislation aims to support the California Community Colleges' goal of offering baccalaureate degree programs and addressing the state's need for an additional 1,000,000 degree holders by 2030, while maintaining the existing provisions that require students to be enrolled full-time, submit financial aid applications, and meet other eligibility criteria. The bill also preserves existing exceptions for students called to military duty and allows for flexibility in defining full-time status for students with disabilities.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1035