Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in the state.
Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education.
This bill would establish the Financial Assistance for Students Experiencing Homelessness Pilot Program, administered by each participating campus, to provide financial assistance at 3 California State University campuses to California residents who (1) have been accepted for enrollment at one of those campuses, (2) were homeless at any time during high school, and (3) will be between 17 and 26 years of age, inclusive, upon receipt of assistance.
This bill would require, commencing with the 2026–27 academic year, each participating campus to provide financial assistance for the balance of the qualifying student's cost of attendance that exceeds the financial aid, excluding federal loans, the qualifying student receives during the first 4 years the qualifying student participates in the pilot program. The bill would require the qualifying student to meet certain requirements to receive financial assistance under the pilot program, as specified. Subject to an appropriation by the Legislature, the bill would require the commission to allocate funding to each participating campus equal to 50% of each participating qualifying student's balance in excess of the financial assistance the qualifying student receives. The bill would require each participating campus to adopt policies to administer the pilot program and to designate one employee as a liaison for qualifying students and prospective qualifying students, as provided.
This bill would require the commission to adopt the regulations necessary to carry out its duties under the program, and to employ at least one full-time equivalent position to assist students experiencing homelessness and to support prospective qualifying students in applying for and enrolling in a participating campus, as provided. The bill would require the commission to enter into a data sharing agreement with the State Department of Education, as specified.
This bill would make these provisions inoperative on July 1, 2031, and would repeal them as of January 1, 2032.