The Legislature appropriated $115 million to the California Community Colleges in the 2021 Budget Act in one-time funding for the Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant (ZTC) program. The program intends to “reduce the overall cost of education for students and decrease the time it takes students to complete degree programs offered by community colleges.” Specifically, the funding is being used to develop and implement zero cost or low-cost degrees or CTC certificates.
The statute mandates that the Chancellor’s Office shall ensure that a grant does not result in the development or implementation of duplicate degrees and that it results in the greatest number of degrees to benefit the greatest number of students. It includes additional specific requirements, including program prioritization, sustainability, content adaptability, location for content curation, implementation approach, and implementation period.
Of the funding appropriated, the Chancellor’s Office shall distribute no more than $200K per degree or CTE certificate developed and implemented at a college, and no more than $20K may be allocated per course for the development and curation of OER material.
Legislation: Education Code Section 78050-78052 –Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Grant Program
Grants and Allocations
ZTC Planning Grant: In July 2022, the initial allocation of $20K for colleges to research and plan how to implement ZTC pathways at their institution was distributed through district apportionment in July 2022.
ZTC Implementation Grant: In March 2023, colleges were allocated $180,000 through district apportionment to design, develop, and pilot at least one ZTC degree pathway offering.
ZTC Acceleration Grant(s): By December 2023, 87 colleges had received grants of $22M to support over 300 programs converting to ZTC. ZTC Program Pathways must be developed and implemented by the Fall 2026 semester.
Reporting and Deadlines
- By December 2023, 87 colleges had received approvals for over $22 million in Acceleration grant funds to develop and implement over 300 ZTC program pathways state-wide
- Spring 2024, Collaboration Cohorts initiated for inter-collegiate ZTC development efforts
- December 2024, first ZTC Implementation Grant and Acceleration Grant expenditure and progress reports are due in NOVA
- Fall 2025, Implementation grant program pathways must be implemented and available for student enrollment
- December 2025, second ZTC Implementation Grant and Acceleration Grant expenditure and progress reports are due in NOVA; Implementation Grant funds expenditure deadline
- Fall 2026, Acceleration grant program pathways must be implemented and available for student enrollment
- December 2026, final ZTC Implementation Grant and Acceleration Grant expenditure and progress reports are due in NOVA; Acceleration Grant funds expenditure deadline
Reporting Chart
| - | Planning Grant -$20K | Implementation Grant - $180K | Acceleration Grant - Up to $200K Per Pathway | XB-12 Data Element |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Expenditure Report - NOVA 6/30/23 |
Program Plan - NOVA 10/31/23 |
Program Plan - NOVA 9/15/23 |
- |
| 2024 | - | Progress & Expenditure Report NOVA 12/31/24 |
Progress & Expenditure Report NOVA 12/31/24 |
|
| 2025 | - | Progress & Expenditure Report NOVA 12/31/25 |
Progress & Expenditure Report NOVA 12/31/25 |
|
| 2026 | - | Final Report & Final Expenditure 12/31/26 |
Final Report & Final Expenditure 12/31/26 |
ZTC Grant Program Office Hours:
The Zero Textbook Office hour is held on the last Friday of each month from 9:00am – 10:00am. Join ZTC Office hours.
ZTC Technical Assistance
For technical assistance, professional development, coaching, and assistance finding relevant OER and understanding open licensing, please contact ztctap@canyons.edu or see ztctap.org.
Collaboration Cohorts: Colleges ready to develop and implement ZTC pathways in a potentially duplicative subject matter area will form cohorts facilitated by the ASCCC OERI. This cohort will support other colleges by:
- Documenting best practices via virtual meetings
- Amplifying and celebrating successes via in-person convening
Coaching Services: Experienced leaders from California Community Colleges will provide:
- Individual engagement with colleges
- Assistance in developing a local plan utilizing a template
Courses
For Professional Development support (beginning Summer 2023 and continuing in subsequent semesters) in collaboration with California Virtual Campus’s @ONE, the following four-week, facilitated online courses will be offered:
- “Making the Case for ZTC: Pathways to Equity”
- “Building a Team: Training OER Support Specialists”
- “Teaching with OER and Open Pedagogy for Equity”
Visit the California Virtual Campus Online Network of Educators to sign up for courses.
