CA AB2491

Requires California Community Colleges, California State University, and University of California institutions to calculate and include full-time student cost of attendance with minimum components: tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses.

Mandates institutions designate students as living with family as dependent, living on campus, or living independently off campus, with room and board costs calculated separately for each category.

Requires institutions to use HUD-established housing costs for one-bedroom units in surrounding communities for students living independently off campus, with option to use higher costs from other sources if methodology is posted publicly.

Mandates institutions update room and board cost calculations annually using the most recent fiscal year data available.

Provides that if Commission on State Mandates determines the bill imposes state-mandated costs, reimbursement shall be made pursuant to applicable state law provisions.