SB 850 Summary

• Authorizes California Community Colleges Board of Governors to establish a statewide baccalaureate degree pilot program at up to 15 community college districts, with one program per district, beginning January 1, 2015 and commencing no later than the 2017-18 academic year.

• Requires participating districts to offer baccalaureate degrees in subject areas with unmet workforce needs that are not already offered by California State University or University of California, with all students completing degrees by the end of the 2022-23 academic year.

• Limits student fees to no more than mandatory California State University fees, plus an $84 per-unit charge for upper division coursework, and requires districts to adopt policies directing financial aid applicants to complete FAFSA or California Dream Act applications.

• Mandates Board of Governors develop a funding model by March 31, 2015 based on marginal cost calculations, and requires Legislative Analyst's Office to conduct interim evaluation (report by July 1, 2018) and final evaluation (report by July 1, 2022) of the pilot program.

• Makes the program inoperative on July 1, 2023, and repeals it on January 1, 2024, unless extended by later statute.