California needs Cal Grant Reform
Cal Grant Reform will open the doors to higher education to more than 130,000 low-income Californians
About Us
The Cal Grant Reform Coalition is a diverse coalition comprised of student leadership, higher education advocacy, civil rights, social justice, business and workforce organizations, labor groups, and postsecondary systems who are seeking to equitably reform California’s largest financial aid program. Our mission is to implement and fund the Cal Grant Reform Act so that California colleges and universities can be accessible and affordable to all students – especially historically underserved student populations.
WHAT IS CAL GRANT REFORM
The Cal Grant Reform Act was adopted by the Legislature and the Governor in 2022, but not funded for implementation pending a “funding trigger” decision in 2024. This Reform would streamline the state’s largest financial aid program, replacing the existing Cal Grant program with a new version of the program that is easier to understand. Additionally, it would remove key eligibility barriers which are leaving out older, returning, and “non-traditional” students while also growing the grant award amount for community college recipient’s overtime. See more details with the below documents.
CAL GRANT REFORM
would expand financial aid access to enough to fill:
2.5
Dodgers Stadiums
CAL GRANT REFORM
would expand financial aid access to enough to fill:
1.5
Rose Bowl Stadiums
CAL GRANT REFORM
would expand financial aid access to enough to fill:
1.5
Disneylands
CAL GRANT REFORM
would expand financial aid access to enough to fill:
72
Santa Monica Piers
CAL GRANT REFORM
would expand financial aid access to enough to fill:
43
San Diego Zoos
CAL GRANT REFORM
would expand financial aid access to enough to fill:
100
Golden Gate Bridges
KEY DATES
*MAY 14th
Deadline
Governor to release the May Budget Revision ("May Revise").
On or Before May 14th
*JUNE 15th
Deadline
Budget Bill must be passed.
By midnight
Coalition Statement and Letters
Cal Grant Reform Coalition’s Statement on California Budget Deal
With the announcement of a budget deal between Governor Newsom and the Legislature, the Cal Grant Reform Coalition is disappointed that it does not include funding for Cal Grant Reform.
Nonetheless, every member of our wide-ranging coalition from across the state remains fully committed to making California postsecondary education affordable and accessible for all—especially, and first, for our lowest-income Californians.
We sincerely appreciate Assemblymembers David Alvarez’s and Mike Fong's leadership and tireless efforts in advocating for Cal Grant Reform and thank the Legislature for including this proposal in Budget Bill AB 107. Due to their efforts and strong voices, and with this year’s overall investments in higher education, we are in a position to push forward in the coming years, despite one of the toughest budget periods California has and will continue to face.
OUR MOVEMENT
Mikala Hutchinson Student at Mira Costa College
OUR STORIES
Cal-Grant reform is important to me as a non-traditional student, I returned to high school at twenty-two years old with two young children, and I had to graduate with my diploma before qualifying for any financial aid.
This was difficult to navigate as childcare costs were high. Upon graduating my adult high school program there was still a delay in receiving my Cal-Grant and I utilized Cal-Grant funds to cover the high costs of childcare.
Cal-Grant makes it possible for me to attend college as a student parent, and I would not be graduating or transferring to Cal State Chico without the support of financial aid.
We’re all in for Cal grant reform!
JOIN OUR MOVEMENT
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© Cal Grant Coalition 2024
The Cal Grant Reform Coalition is a diverse coalition comprised of student leadership, higher education advocacy, civil rights, social justice, business and workforce organizations, labor groups, and postsecondary systems who are seeking to implement the Cal Grant Reform Act, which was adopted by the Legislature and the Governor in 2022.