California law (Ed Code § 70901(b)(4)) requires the Board to provide representation, advocacy and accountability for the system before state and national legislative and executive agencies. The Board’s Procedures and Standing Orders provide guidance to the Chancellor in representing the California Community Colleges on matters pending before the California Legislature and Governor, Congress and the President. The Procedures and Standing Orders also authorize the Chancellor to take positions on pending legislation on behalf of the Board, as specified (Procedures and Standing Orders § 317).

The Governmental Relations division represents the Chancellor and the Board on state and federal policy and advocacy matters. The California Community Colleges Vision 2030, the Board of Governors Budget and Legislative Request, and prior Board positions guide the activities of the division. In general, the Governmental Relations division seeks feedback from the Consultation Council and the Board prior to taking positions on pending policy matters.

Federal Updates

FASFA Updates

On January 30th, USED announced more than 3.1 million FAFSA forms have been successfully submitted since the 2024-25 redesigned application went live on December 30th, 2023. USED also announced that it has updated the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation to appropriately account for inflation after observers discovered USED errored in its calculation of inflation, causing student aid amounts to be lower than they should be. College administrators are also raising concerns that students from "mixed status families" are prevented from qualifying for aid. This occurs when a U.S. citizen student has undocumented parents who are unable to provide a social security or individual taxpayer identification number, as required by the FAFSA. Finally, USED announced that it would have to further delay its processing of applications by about two months to March 2024. This delay comes on top of previous delays with FAFSA implementation and the usual FAFSA timeline for this year. In response to these delays, Reps. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Burgess Owens (R-UT) sent a letter to USED Secretary Miguel Cardona demanding documents and communication about USED's implementation of the new FAFSA.

FASFA SSN Letter

Bicameral FASFA Letter

America's College Promise
President Biden’s Build Back Better (BBB) Agenda represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a more equitable and sustainable future for America, something that is top of mind for all of us in a post-COVID recovery environment. A key component of the Build Back Better Agenda is America’s College Promise (ACP), the largest expansion of college access and affordability since the enactment of the Higher Education Act in 1965. By eliminating community college tuition and fees for a student's first two years, the ACP would dramatically reduce students' total costs to attend college. As negotiations intensify, we urge you to join us in efforts to ensure its success.
 

ACP Social Media Toolkit (PDF)

AACC & ACCT Joint Statement (PDF)

Education Trust West Joint Support Letter

Institute for College Access & Success Statement

RISE Statement

National Resources