CA SB737

Renamed the Student Opportunity and Access Program to the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) and modernized program focus to emphasize financial aid information and FAFSA/California Dream Act Application (CADAA) completion assistance.

Expanded eligible student populations to include low-income students, first-generation students, homeless youth, foster youth, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and students from mixed immigration status households, in addition to existing categories.

Required projects to provide high school students and parents/guardians with information on college preparation, total cost of postsecondary education, and assistance completing financial aid applications.

Changed the 30 percent funding allocation requirement from "peer advisers and tutors" to "college success coaches" and associated training, supplies, and equipment costs for coaches serving as undergraduate or graduate student mentors.

Repealed provisions allowing initial grants for new projects to be used for planning and development phases, requiring full project funding from the start.