AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 13, 2026

AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 15, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

97

Introduced by Assembly Member Ahrens

(Coauthor: Assembly Member Bennett)

February 20, 2026

An act to add Section 69509.7 to the Education Code, relating to student financial aid.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: yes   Local program: yes

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, independent institutions of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions as the segments of postsecondary education in the state. Existing law establishes various programs that provide financial aid to students attending institutions in each of the segments.

This bill would require the California State University, community college districts, and private postsecondary educational institutions and independent institutions of higher education that receive state financial assistance to, and would request the University of California to, waive or defer the unpaid portion of enrollment fees and costs for a student who has submitted a specified financial aid application and is a foster youth or former foster youth, as defined, upon the student’s initial enrollment at the postsecondary educational institutional institution, either (1) waive the unpaid portion of enrollment fees and costs, or (2) defer the unpaid portion of enrollment fees and costs until the student has received an initial disbursement of the student’s financial aid award, as provided. If the postsecondary educational institution is unable to waive or defer costs related to books, supplies, materials, or equipment, the bill would require the institution to provide the student with clear information regarding available campus resources, institutional programs, or community-based assistance to help the student cover those costs. By imposing new duties on community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 69509.7 is added to the Education Code, immediately following Section 69509.6, to read:

69509.7.

(a) (1) Commencing with the 2027–28 academic year, the California State University, each community college district, and private postsecondary educational institutions and independent institutions of higher education that receive state financial assistance shall, and the University of California is requested to, waive or defer the unpaid portion of enrollment fees and costs for a student who has submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or California Dream Act Application, if applicable, and is a foster youth or former foster youth, as defined pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 66025.9, and as verified by a financial aid administrator for the postsecondary educational institution, upon the student’s initial enrollment at the postsecondary educational institution until the student has received an initial disbursement of the student’s financial aid award. Enrollment institution, do either of the following:

(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), enrollment fees and costs include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:

(A) Registration fees, including a statement of intent to register.

(B) Mandatory campus fees.

(C) Campus housing and meals, including any required deposits.

(D) Health insurance.

(E) Books, supplies, materials, and equipment that may be required for enrolled courses, except as provided in subdivision (b).

(F) Any associated costs of a summer course or program required to be taken for the student’s chosen major.

(b) If a postsecondary educational institution is unable to waive or defer the costs described in paragraph (5) subparagraph (E) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), the institution shall provide the student with clear information regarding available campus resources, institutional programs, or community-based assistance to help the student cover those costs.

(c) Community college districts are encouraged to use existing funding sources to implement this section, including, but not limited to, funding received pursuant to the NextUp program established pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 79220) of Chapter 9 of Part 48 of Division 7 and funding received pursuant to the Student Equity and Achievement Program established pursuant to Section 78222.

SEC. 2.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.