Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands grant programs to reduce college debt.

Highlights:

• Establishes requirements for the Cal Grant Program based on student financial need, and establishes eligibility requirements for applicants  (Secs. 5 & 16, Pgs. 5, 6 & 20).

• Prohibits any Cal Grant participating institution of higher education in the state from reducing its per capita need-based financial aid provided to undergraduates below the level it has been awarded (Sec. 5, Pg. 6).

• Establishes the Cal Grant Reform Act to operate in conjunction with the Cal Grant Program to assist in the payment of student tuition and fees (Sec. 16, Pg. 17).

• Establishes the Cal Grant 2 Program for students of the California Community Colleges (Sec. 16, Pg. 24).

• Increases the base award for Cal Grant 2 recipients to $2,500 (Sec. 39, Pg. 50).

• Establishes the Cal Grant 4 Program for students enrolled in any other qualifying institution of higher education (Sec. 16, Pg. 25).

• Establishes a formula for Cal Grant awards (Sec. 39, Pg. 50).

• Specifies that the above new programs become operative beginning October 1, 2023 (Sec. 16, Pg. 26).

• Establishes guidelines for issuing grants to students with dependent children (Sec. 20, Pg. 27).

• Authorizes deadline extensions for financial aid program applications (Sec. 25, Pg. 30).

• Prohibits discrmination against part-time students when choosing Cal Grant recipients (Sec. 16, Pg. 23).

• Prohibits certain institutions from charging any tuition or fees to certain applicants of FAFSA with particular financial aid needs (Sec. 15, Pg. 16).

• Prohibits certain institutions from charging tuition or fees to certain students connected to the military and veterans (Sec. 6, Pgs. 6 & 7).

• Prohibits certain institutions from charging any tuition or fees to certain foster youth students (Sec. 6, Pg. 7).

• Prohibits certain institutions from charging any tuition or fees to surviving spouses or children of certain deceased individuals (Sec. 13, Pg. 15).

• Specifies that the above tuition and fee waivers only apply to California residents (Secs. 6, 13 & 15, Pgs. 8, 15 & 16).

• Prohibits certain institutions from charging tuition and fees to undergraduates who are the child or someone killed in the 9/11 attacks (Sec. 14, Pg. 15).

• Establishes requirements for certain institutions to cover fees and address injuries incurred by student athletes (Sec. 12, Pg. 14).

• Establishes grant eligibility for dependents of deceased or disabled peace officers and other law enforcement, if such incident occurs on duty (Sec. 37, Pg. 47).

• Requires certain institutions to grant priority enrollment to current and former foster or homeless youth (Sec. 7, Pg. 8).

• Establishes requirements for campus response to the presence of immigration law enforcement (Sec. 8, Pg. 9).

• Establishes rules for the handling of student personal information (Sec. 8, Pg. 8).

• Establishes requirements for reporting crime on campuses (Sesc. 10 & 11, Pgs. 10-14).

• Requires California colleges and universities to report to their budget committees for review of any preferential treatment given during the admissions process (Sec. 4, Pg. 5).

• Establishes the 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens program to provide incentives for community partnerships for after school academic support and college readiness programs (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Establishes requirements for applicable grants for the abovementioned after school programs (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Establishes guidelines for the Chafee Grant (Sec. 27, Pgs. 33 & 34).

• Authorizes qualified individuals to apply for an award under the California Military Department GI Bill (Sec. 29, Pg. 35).

• Establishes rules and fees for authorized commemorative collegiate license plates (Sec. 38, Pg. 48).

Full Bill Text