Governor Newsom’s Budget Proposes a Critical $1.3B Increased Investment in Higher Education

Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a $1.3 billion increase for higher education in his third Budget proposal with vital student investments spanning early childhood education to college, an intentional focus on closing racial equity gaps, strengthening infrastructure proven to increase college access and completion, and support for vulnerable student populations most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Offering struggling students a lifeline during COVID-19, the Governor’s proposed budget provides $190.6 million in emergency assistance for California’s community colleges to bolster student retention, provide emergency financial assistance for low-income students, and other key supports. It also includes $30 million for the California State University (CSU) and $15 million for the University of California (UC) for emergency grants for full-time, low-income students.

The proposed budget makes a momentous investment in racial equity in higher education, including $35 million for cultural competency professional development at the UC, CSU, and California’s community colleges and $600,000 in one-time funding to support implementation of systemwide anti-racism initiatives at the CSU. Additionally, it calls upon the UC to take significant action to reduce equity gaps with an ambitious goal of closing equity gaps by 2025.