CA AB1035

Extends California College Promise fee waiver eligibility by an additional 2 academic years for students who matriculate into upper division coursework of a community college baccalaureate degree program

Current law allows fee waivers for only 2 academic years for first-time and returning community college students enrolled full-time (12+ semester units or equivalent)

California Community Colleges currently offer 39 baccalaureate degree programs, and approximately 1 million students receive California College Promise free tuition

Addresses educational attainment gaps cited in the bill: less than 15% of Latino Californians and less than 30% of Black Californians have attained bachelor's degrees compared to over 40% of White Californians

California ranks in the top one-third of states for average student loan debt at $37,400 per borrower as of 2023