Existing law establishes independent institutions of higher education as one of the segments of postsecondary education in the state.
Existing law, the Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards, the Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards, the Cal Grant C Awards, and the Cal Grant T Awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission.
The Cal Grant Reform Act revises and recasts the provisions establishing and governing the existing Cal Grant Program into a new Cal Grant Program. Existing law specifies that the act becomes operative only if General Fund moneys over the multiyear forecasts beginning in the 2024–25 fiscal year are available to support ongoing augmentations and actions, and if funding is provided in the annual Budget Act to implement the act.
This bill would prohibit, commencing September 1, 2025, an independent institution of higher education, as defined, from providing a legacy preference or donor preference in admissions, as defined, to an applicant as part of the regular or early action admissions process. The bill would require, on or before June 30, 2026, and annually thereafter, an independent institution of higher education to report to the Legislature and the Department of Justice on whether it is in compliance or violation of these provisions, and if in violation of these provisions, to also report, for that academic year, (1) specified information about newly enrolled students and (2) the admission rate of students who are provided a legacy preference or donor preference in admissions, as compared to the admission rate of students who are not provided a legacy preference or donor preference in admissions. The bill would require the department to post the names of the independent institutions of higher education that violate the prohibition on its internet website by the next fiscal year.

Statutes affected:
03/11/24 - Amended Assembly: 69406 EDC, 69406 EDC, 69432.7 EDC, 69432.7 EDC
04/08/24 - Amended Assembly: 69406 EDC, 69432.7 EDC