California Budget

We commend the Governor and Legislature for protecting the state Cal Grant program, which helps 400,000 low- and middle- income Californians earn the credentials they and our economic recovery need, and for ensuring undocumented students have access to emergency financial support.

A coalition of more than 20 organizations representing statewide student leadership, higher education advocacy, civil rights and social justice, and business and workforce has sent a letter to California legislative leadership urging policymakers to make targeted reforms to protect students’ state financial aid through the COVID-19 pandemic.

TICAS executive vice president Debbie Cochrane weighs in on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed state budget for 2020-21.

The California State Legislature is poised to approve a state budget that includes key steps forward on the path to affordable college. The budget includes the largest-ever increase in the number of ‘competitive’ Cal Grants – those available to nontraditional students – a top priority of legislative leaders, students, civil rights groups, businesses, and other...

Over 20 organizations urged the Conference Committee on the Budget to make a down payment towards college affordability by increasing the number of new competitive Cal Grants to 70,000 annually and allowing AB 540 students to compete on equal footing, and increasing the size of the base Cal Grant B access award to $1,836. Doing so will ensure more students across all types of...

Over 20 organizations urged the California State Assembly Committee on Budget, Subcommittee 2 on Education Finance to make a down payment towards college affordability by increasing the number of competitive Cal Grants and the size of the Cal Grant B access award. Doing so will ensure more students across all types of colleges get the assistance they need to cover total college...