State Legislature Advances Bill Expanding Higher Education Opportunities
Sacramento, CA – Last night, the California Legislature passed SB 632 by Senator Jesse Arreguin (D-Oakland), helping underserved Californians obtain higher education and economic mobility by allowing community college students enrolled in at least 9 units to have tuition fees waived through the California College Promise program.
“Expanding eligibility for the California College Promise will fulfill its original intent to uplift the most underserved students,” said Senator Arreguin. “By reducing barriers to accessing higher education, we can open up new opportunities for students seeking a better tomorrow.”
“SB 632 would extend the College Promise to part-time students taking nine units. Most of our students work part-time to full-time hours and often have family responsibilities,” said A. James McKeever, PhD, Vice President of CFT. “They cannot be full-time students and still take advantage of the current College Promise. SB 632 will support these students and incentivize those taking fewer units to take an additional class, finish sooner, and transfer. We appreciate continued support for the working class, working parents, and our communities by passing SB 632. “
An estimated 2.2 million Californians are enrolled in one of the 116 community colleges in the state, including over 70% from diverse ethnic backgrounds. A majority of students who graduate from a California State University and 29% of University of California graduates started their higher education journey in a community college. Those who receive an associates degree from a California community college on average earn $11,300 more in annual wages compared to someone with a high school diploma.
The California College Promise was launched during the 2018-19 academic year after the program was established under AB 1744 in 2017, which allows for the waiving of tuition fees for first-time or returning community college students enrolled in 12 or more units. Currently, tuition fees for California residents are $46 per unit. Around 1 million students benefit from this program, but many more who are currently enrolled part time, often due to work or family obligations, do not currently qualify for the program. SB 632 recognizes this reality by expanding eligibility, helping ensure that financial barriers do not prevent students, particularly those from underserved communities, from pursuing higher education and building a stronger economic future.
SB 632 now heads to the Governor’s Desk, where action must be taken on the bill by September 30.
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