Plain English Breakdown
The official text does not specify an effective date, only that changes commence with the 2028–29 academic year.
Priority Registration for Veterans and GI Bill Students in California Public Colleges
Starting in the 2028–29 school year, this law requires California State University campuses and community college districts with priority enrollment systems to let students using federal GI Bill benefits or receiving specific fee waivers register before other students.
What This Bill Does
- Requires California State University campuses that use a priority enrollment system to give early registration spots to eligible veterans' dependents with fee waivers and students using federal GI Bill benefits starting in the 2028–29 academic year.
- Requires community college districts that use a priority enrollment system to grant early registration to students receiving specific fee waivers or using federal GI Bill benefits starting in the 2028–29 academic year.
- Requests, but does not require, the University of California campuses with priority enrollment systems to follow these same rules.
- States that if the Commission on State Mandates determines there are state-mandated costs for community colleges, reimbursement will be made under existing laws.
Who It Names or Affects
- Students receiving fee waivers because they are children of veterans with service-connected disabilities or Medal of Honor recipients.
- Undergraduate students who are Medal of Honor recipients and no more than 27 years old, if requirements are met.
- Students using any federal GI Bill benefits for their education.
- California State University campuses that currently have a priority enrollment system.
- Community college districts in California that use a priority enrollment system.
Terms To Know
- Priority registration
- A rule that lets certain students sign up for classes before other students can register.
- Fee waiver
- An official approval to not pay required tuition or fees, often given based on family military service status under the Donahoe Higher Education Act.
- Federal GI Bill benefits
- Money from the U.S. government that helps veterans and their families pay for college education.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law only applies to campuses or districts that already have a system for priority enrollment.
- The University of California is asked but not required by this text to follow the new registration rules.
- Reimbursement for community college costs depends on whether the Commission on State Mandates determines there are state-mandated costs.