An act to amend Section 76396.3 of the Education Code, relating to community colleges.
Summary
AB 1035 would expand the California College Promise fee waiver program for certain community college students who move into upper-division coursework in a community college baccalaureate degree program. Under current law, eligible first-time and returning full-time students can receive fee waivers for up to two academic years if they complete the required financial aid application. This bill would allow those students, when they matriculate into upper-division baccalaureate coursework, to receive the fee waiver for an additional two academic years, including fees associated with baccalaureate coursework and upper-division classes.
The bill is framed as an access and completion measure. Its findings cite California’s high student debt, racial disparities in bachelor’s degree attainment, the large number of students already served by the California College Promise, and the state’s need for more degree holders by 2030. The bill does not create a new program, but instead broadens eligibility within an existing fee-waiver structure administered by the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and funded only when appropriations are made by the Legislature.
Impact
AB 1035 would amend Education Code Section 76396.3 to extend California College Promise fee waiver eligibility by two additional academic years for qualifying students who enter upper-division coursework in a community college baccalaureate degree program. It would affect community colleges certified under the California College Promise, eligible first-time and returning students, and the Chancellor’s Office oversight of fee waiver administration and reporting. The bill would not itself appropriate funds, but it could increase program costs if enacted and funded, and it would apply to fees tied to baccalaureate and upper-division coursework described in the Education Code.
Sentiment
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill’s goal of expanding tuition relief and supporting community college baccalaureate pathways. The measure received a 8-2 do pass vote in committee before being re-referred to Appropriations, indicating majority support but also enough concern to warrant further fiscal review. No committee transcript was provided, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the bill’s framing around affordability, degree completion, and equity suggests it is being advanced as a student-support measure.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be fiscal impact rather than policy direction. Because the bill extends fee waiver eligibility for an additional two academic years, legislators may be concerned about the cost to the California College Promise and whether existing appropriations are sufficient to cover the expanded benefit. Another possible issue is program scope: the extension is limited to students who matriculate into upper-division coursework in community college baccalaureate programs, so the bill creates a targeted benefit rather than a broad expansion for all community college students. The Appropriations Committee referral and the fiscal committee designation indicate that budgetary questions are likely the central unresolved issue.
An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 74298) to Chapter 5 of Part 46 of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to community colleges. An act to amend Section 53369.3 of the Government Code, relating to local government.