Governor Newsom’s Proposed $297B Budget Protects Critical Funding Commitments to Higher Education & California’s Future
Statement from Campaign for College Opportunity: “Governor Newsom’s budget shows that even in challenging fiscal times, investing in higher education is essential to California’s future success.”
Los Angeles, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a $40.3 billion investment for higher education in his 2023-24 budget proposal, maintaining critical funding commitments that increase college access for more California students while advancing equity in pursuit of a debt-free college education. As the state faces a $22.5 billion shortfall, Governor Newsom’s decision to prioritize education spending demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the value of a higher education.
Building on the historic multi-year compacts that Governor Newsom established with California’s higher education institutions, especially the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems, Governor Newsom’s budget proposes a 5% increase in base funding to both systems to continue enrolling more Californians who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at their institutions. The proposed budget also honors the California Community College (CCC) system’s multi-year roadmap and proposes an additional, one-time investment of $200 million to enroll and retain more community college students, especially in light of recent COVID-19-related enrollment declines across the system.
“Governor Newsom’s budget proposal upholds an unprecedented level of commitment to higher education,” said Jessie Ryan, Executive Vice President with The Campaign for College Opportunity. “This administration understands that the value of a college degree is more critical than ever, and is demonstrating its commitment to education funding in good times and bad. The Governor knows that past investments in higher education have been critical to California’s position as the 4th largest economy in the world and that future investments in college access for more Californians supports a vibrant economy and democracy.”
Despite significant shortfalls in state funding, Governor Newsom’s proposed budget represents a promising start to the budget negotiation process for California’s students. “We look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature in support of this budget proposal as well as to ensure future funding is provided to deliver Cal Grant awards to meet the needs of our lowest income and most vulnerable students,” Ryan added.
Key Higher Education Highlights
Honoring Commitments to College Access and Student Success
- Continued support for the CSU Higher Education Compact:$227.3 million ongoing General Fund increase for the CSU system. This is a 5% base funding increase, in return for the system’s continued progress toward improving student access and success goals outlined in the compact.
- Continued support for the UC Higher Education Compact: $215.5 million ongoing General Fund increase for the UC system. This is a 5% base funding increase, in return for the system’s continued progress toward improving student access and success goals outlined in the compact.
- Continued support for the CCC Roadmap for California’s Future: Provides an increase of $652.6 million ongoing funding for a 8.13% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and $28.8 million in ongoing funding to cover a 0.5% enrollment increase for the CCC system, in return for the system’s continued progress toward improving student access and success goals outlined in the Roadmap.
- $200 million in one-time funding to continue supporting student enrollment and retention efforts at California’s community colleges.
Strengthening Transfer
- Transfer Admissions Guarantee – Leverages state funding to require UCLA to participate in the UC Transfer Admissions Guarantee (TAG) Program.
- Associate Degree for Transfer – Leverages state funding to require UCLA to offer Associate Degree for Transfer program pathways for students seeking to transfer from CCC to UCLA (a model The Campaign hopes to see adopted at scale at universities across the state).
Keeping the College Dream Affordable
- While future funding still must be committed, the Administration continues to work closely with the Legislature and the California Student Aid Commission to plan for the implementation of the Cal Grant Equity Framework.