California Legislature’s 2022-23 Joint Budget Agreement Calls for Significant Reforms to the Cal Grant Program

June 06, 2022
Contact: Paige Marlatt Dorr
Office: 916-601-8005
Office E-mail: pdorr@cccco.edu

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley issued the following statement on the California Legislature’s 2022-23 Joint Budget Agreement:

"The California Legislature’s joint budget proposal contains investments to address the total cost of attendance through financial aid reform which is critical to supporting California Community College students and makes higher education more accessible for thousands of more students. We cannot talk about student success, reaching our state’s attainment goals or meeting the needs of our workforce and economy without doubling down and committing to the financial aid reform that will get us there. While the California Community Colleges applaud the Legislature for its focus on higher education, we cannot overlook the needed expansion of staff to ensure the right infrastructure is in place to advance equitable success, the goals of the Legislature, and the vision of our roadmap. Investments and reforms to the Cal Grant system are the right steps forward. We look forward to partnering with the Governor and Legislature to continue discussions around remaining investments needed to build capacity within the Chancellor’s Office and support the growing needs of our students.”

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 1.8 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision for Success, a strategic plan designed to improve student success outcomes, increase transfer rates and eliminate achievement gaps. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.