CA AB943

Authorizes community colleges to use Student Equity and Achievement Program funding for emergency student financial assistance to help eligible students overcome unforeseen financial challenges that would impact their ability to persist in their studies.

Defines "eligible students" as those experiencing unforeseen financial challenges, maintaining satisfactory academic progress, and at risk of not continuing their course of study due to those challenges.

Specifies that emergency financial assistance can include emergency grants, housing and food assistance, textbook grants, and transportation assistance.

Requires emergency student financial assistance to be included in an institution's plan for interventions to students in order to be an allowable use of program funds.

Encourages each community college district and campus to develop specific guidelines for defining unforeseen financial challenges based on their unique student populations.