Highlights of the 2020-21 Higher Education Budget Agreement
Major reassessment of funding for all systems of higher education in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a pause on all new investments unrelated to COVID response and recovery.
$1 billion in cuts to the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) and $791.1 million in deferrals at the California Community Colleges (CCC), if federal aid is not provided.
Call for higher education institutions to minimize disparate impacts on low-income and underrepresented students by harnessing their innovative strength and engaging stakeholders.
Details of the 2020-21 Higher Education State Budget Agreement
California Community Colleges
- $791.1 million in deferrals to be rescinded if the state receives federal funding by October 15th.
- $120 million in one-time funding for a COVID-19 Response Block Grant to support mental health services, housing and food insecurity programming, student reengagement, and technology and online course development.
- Student Equity and Achievement Program funding maintained at 2019-20 levels. The SEAP was previously at risk in earlier budget conversations.
- Student-Centered Funding Formula: Continues to support the new funding formula for community colleges and extends the hold-harmless provision for an additional two years.
- Immigrant Legal Services: Maintains $10 million to support legal services for immigrant students, faculty, and staff at the CCC.
- Dreamer Resource Liaisons: Maintains $5.8 million in ongoing funding to support Dreamer Resource Liaison Programs at the CCC.
California State University
- Base Funding: Provides $199 million increase to the CSU General Fund.
- Trigger Cuts: Establishes a $500 million trigger cut if no federal funding is provided to the CSU by October 1.
- Summer Financial Aid: Provides $6 million to support summer financial aid at the CSU.
- Redirects $146 million in deferred maintenance funds to support enrollment and student support services.
University of California
- Base Funding: Provides $213.2 million increase to the UC General Fund.
- Trigger Cuts: Establishes a $258.4 million trigger cut if no federal funding is provided to the UC by October 1.
- Summer Financial Aid: Provides $4 million to support summer financial aid at the UC.
- Redirects $24.2 million in deferred maintenance funds to support enrollment and student support services.
Financial Aid
- No Cuts to Cal Grants: Number of awards and maximum awards amounts will remain the same for all systems and the AICCU.
- Emergency Aid for Undocumented Students: Provides $15 million in emergency aid for undocumented students otherwise ineligible for federal emergency aid. Also pauses Service Incentive Grant Program until 2021-22 with funds being redirected to emergency aid for undocumented students.
- Student Loan Working Group: Provides $250,000 in one-time funding to establish a student loan working group
*Partial list of 2020-21 State Budget items. Click here for a complete summary.
