Student financial aid: Cal Grant B access costs award.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about how the increased funding will be implemented or funded, nor does it specify if there are any limits on the maximum amount awarded under this program.

Cal Grant B Access Costs Award Increase

This legislation increases and adjusts annually the Cal Grant B award amount for access costs starting in the 2027-28 academic year.

What This Bill Does

• Increases the minimum Cal Grant B award for access costs to at least $1,600 starting in the 2027-28 academic year.
• Requires that the increased amount be adjusted annually based on changes in the California Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students who receive Cal Grant B awards and attend qualifying postsecondary educational institutions in California.

Terms To Know

Cal Grant Program

A financial aid program that provides grants to help students pay for college or vocational school in California.

California Consumer Price Index (CPI)

An economic indicator that measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the increased funding will be implemented or funded.
• It is unclear if there are any limits on the maximum amount that can be awarded under this program.

Official Summary Text

SB 1006, as amended, Padilla.
Student financial aid: Cal Grant B access costs award.
Existing law, the Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards, the Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards, the Cal Grant C Awards, and the Cal Grant T Awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission. Existing law establishes eligibility requirements for awards under the Cal Grant Program for participating students attending qualifying postsecondary educational institutions. Existing law limits an award for access costs, as defined, under the Cal Grant B Program to no more than $1,551, except as specified, but allows this amount to be adjusted in the annual Budget Act.
This bill, commencing with the 2027–28 award year, would instead require the award for
access costs under the Cal Grant B program to be at least
$1,600
the maximum per-student amount provided in the 2025–26 award year
and
include
would require that award amount to be increased annually by the amount of
the percentage increase, if any, in the California Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF