The Campaign for College Opportunity works with higher education leaders, partner organizations, student advocates, and policymakers to ensure our state is making strategic investments that increase access for all Californians to have an opportunity to attend, afford, and succeed in college. Since 2004, our budget advocacy has contributed to:
Our State Budget Advocacy
Budgets are value statements. California must adequately invest in all students for our collective future.
2023-24 State Budget Highlights
Despite statewide fiscal challenges, Governor Newsom’s 2023-24 state budget proposal protects critical investments in higher education and makes it clear that the future of California depends on a strong higher education system. We are grateful to see commitments to:
College Access and Student Success
- Continued support for the Higher Education Compacts: $227.3 million ongoing General Fund increase for the California State University system, and $215.5 million ongoing General Fund increase for the University of California 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 California Community Colleges Roadmap for California’s Future: Provides an increase of $652.6 million ongoing funding for an 8.13% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and $28.8 million in ongoing funding to cover a 0.5% enrollment increase for the system in return for 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.
Keeping the College Dream Affordable
- While funding still must be committed in 2024-25, we are grateful that 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.
Strengthening Transfer
- Transfer Admissions Guarantee: Leverages state funding to require the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to participate in the UC Transfer Admissions Guarantee (TAG) Program.