AB 1809 Summary

• Community College Funding Reform: Establishes a new student-focused funding formula for community colleges starting 2018-19, replacing the previous system with base allocations, supplemental allocations for low-income/Pell Grant students, and student success allocations based on completion and transfer metrics.

• California Online Community College: Creates a new online college under the Board of Governors to provide flexible, affordable pathways for working adults through competency-based courses, short-term credentials, and industry partnerships with startup funding and milestones through 2025.

• Student Financial Aid Expansion: Increases Cal Grant awards for private nonprofit institutions contingent on meeting transfer student enrollment targets; extends Cal Grant B eligibility for foster youth to 8 years; adds apprenticeship credit hours to community college apportionment formulas.

• Higher Education Programs: Establishes the California Student Author Project grant program for low-income youth literacy; creates the California Education Learning Laboratory for adaptive learning technologies in STEM courses; provides new grant programs for veterans resource centers, reentry services, and refugee career pathways.

• Budget Appropriations: Allocates over $150 million for various initiatives including $35 million for student success funding formula, $13.5 million for financial aid system improvements, $10 million for mental health services, and $10 million for STEM pathway partnerships.