CA AB19

Establishes the California College Promise program, administered by the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, to distribute appropriated funding to community college districts meeting specified requirements.

Requires participating community colleges to partner with K-12 schools on early college commitment programs, improve high school college preparation, implement evidence-based assessment practices, and participate in the California Community College Guided Pathways Grant Program.

Requires participating colleges to maximize student access to need-based financial aid, leverage the Board of Governors fee waiver, and participate in federal loan programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (with provisional one-year eligibility through January 1, 2018 for non-participating colleges).

Permits community colleges to use California College Promise funding to waive enrollment fees for one academic year for first-time full-time students (12 or more semester units) who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or California Dream Act application.

Funding formula for appropriations exceeding fee waiver costs shall be based on the number of full-time equivalent students and the number of Pell Grant-eligible students at each community college.