Higher Education Budget

Highlights of Governor Newsom’s 2021-22 State Budget Proposal

$1.3 billion increase in higher education funding

$295 million in direct emergency relief for California college and university students

Maintains resident undergraduate tuition and fees at current levels for 2021-22 academic year at the CSU and UC

Direct Emergency Financial Assistance: $295 million one-time emergency aid for full-time, low-income students at the CCC, CSU, and UC ($250 million for the CCC, $30 million for the CSU, and $15 million for the UC).  
CCC Student Retention: $20 million to support CCC student retention rates, including the re-engagement of formerly enrolled students who may have withdrawn from college and current and prospective students who are hesitant to remain enrolled due to COVID-19. 
Cal Grant Eligibility for COVID-Impacted: $58.2 million ongoing funding to restore Cal Grant A eligibility for students impacted by a change in their living status due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Distance Learning: $40.6 million to support technological access to higher education and quality distance learning for CCC students.

Increasing FAFSA and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) Completion: Requires local educational agencies to confirm that all high school seniors complete a FAFSA/CADAA beginning in the 2021-22 academic year.  
Basic Needs: $100 million one-time funding to address food and housing insecurity among CCC students
Mental Health & Technology Access: $30 million in ongoing funding to increase technology access, high-speed internet access, and student mental health services at the CSU and UC ($15 million to each system) 
Competitive Cal Grant Increase: Additional 9,000 Cal Grant Competitive awards to serve more students.
CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 and Basic Needs: $15 million increase ongoing funding to sustain and expand support for Basic Needs Initiative component of Graduation Initiative 2025.

Culturally competent professional development for UC, CSU and community college faculty: (UC $5 million one-time increase; CSU $ 10 million one-time increase; CCC $20 million one-time) 
CSU Anti-Racism Initiatives: An increase of $600,000 one-time funding to support the implementation of systemwide anti-racism initiatives   
Closing Equity Gaps at UC and CSU: Calls on UC to take significant action to reduce equity gaps with the goal of closing gaps by 2025.

Cradle to Career Data System: $15 million to support the continued development of data system infrastructure. 
California Dreamer Service Incentive Grant Program: $7.5 million to support undocumented students seeking meaningful professional development opportunities.

*Partial list of 2021-22 State Budget items. Click here for a complete summary.