SB 1450 - The California Promise

• Establishes the California Promise program requiring California State University and California Community Colleges campuses to enter pledges with qualifying students to complete associate degrees within 2 academic years or baccalaureate degrees within 4 academic years of freshman admission.

• Requires qualifying students to be California residents and complete at least 30 semester units per academic year; participating campuses must provide priority registration and academic advisement.

• Caps systemwide tuition charged to CSU students in the program at the amount charged during their freshman admission year; community college transfer students' tuition capped at either the CSU rate when they began their associate degree or their admission rate to CSU.

• Waives systemwide tuition and fees for students unable to complete degree programs within the specified timeframe because required courses are unavailable or full, once the course becomes available.

• Directs CSU Trustees and Community College Board of Governors to make efforts closing achievement gaps and encouraging broad participation reflecting campus demographics; requires state General Fund reimbursement for uncollected tuition.