California Student Aid Commission Urges Lawmakers to Invest in College Affordability and Financial Aid Access
SACRAMENTO, CA, March 9, 2025 — The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is urging state lawmakers to take action to strengthen college affordability for students across the state.
During its annual Advocacy Day with state policymakers, CSAC Commissioners, staff, students, and California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) leaders outlined a set of 2026–27 legislative and budget priorities aimed at modernizing financial aid delivery, protecting vulnerable students, and expanding access to education and workforce training.
CSAC currently administers more than $3.8 billion in financial aid annually, serving approximately 2.2 million students who apply for aid each year across California’s colleges and universities. Yet, many students are still left behind, due to program funding caps, or income, age, and GPA eligibility requirements that do not meet today’s cost of living and attendance, or match student’s realities.
“California has made tremendous progress expanding financial aid, but many students still struggle to access the resources they need to afford college,” said Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director of the California Student Aid Commission. “We’re taking a closer look at who our systems are still underserving. By disaggregating our data with an equity lens, we’re identifying where policy, resources, and partnerships can elevate support to all students, including adult learners, undocumented and mixed-status families, and the increasing population of low-income Californians. Our legislative priorities focus on strengthening financial aid systems and expanding the support networks that help these students access opportunity, get support to persist, and succeed in higher education or career training programs.”
CSAC’s policy agenda reflects the growing demand for financial aid and the need for stronger statewide infrastructure to support students navigating college affordability.
California’s College Affordability Priorities for 2026-27
Strengthen Financial Aid Infrastructure
CSAC is requesting $2.2 million to modernize the technology, compliance, and operational infrastructure needed to securely administer California’s financial aid programs. Investments in information technology, auditing, and legal capacity are critical to protecting student data and ensuring timely and accurate aid delivery to millions of applicants each year.
Sustain and Expand Regional College Access Networks
CSAC is seeking $24 million over three years to strengthen Cal-SOAP capacity and support Regional Community Organizations (RCOs) that help students apply for financial aid and navigate the college-going process.
Cal-SOAP currently operates through 16 regional consortia serving many of California’s historically marginalized communities. However, several regions of the state remain under-resourced or without sufficient staffing to meet student demand. Cal-SOAP partners include school districts, colleges, and community organizations, providing hands-on support to students and families completing financial aid applications, exploring college and career options, and transitioning to postsecondary education.
Regional Community Organizations expand this work by partnering with local nonprofits and community-based groups that provide culturally responsive outreach to students who may otherwise face barriers accessing financial aid.
Safeguard Access for Vulnerable Students
CSAC is also advancing policies to protect access to financial aid for undocumented and mixed-status students, including maintaining the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) as a pathway to state financial aid. Proposed trailer bill language clarifies that any Californian who feels uncomfortable sharing their family’s information with the federal government can still apply for state financial aid.
In addition, CSAC proposed trailer bill language to modernize the Dreamer Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) program, which requires undocumented students to perform 300 hours of community service to obtain additional funding for college. Given that these students have many barriers, a tiered DSIG program would allow students to receive funding amounts based on the number of hours they perform and prevent unused DSIG funds from rolling into loan programs.
Expand Affordable Workforce Pathways
To support students pursuing career education and workforce training, CSAC is advocating for $15.5 million to modernize Cal Grant C, which provides financial aid for career technical education programs aligned with high-demand industries.
CSAC is also preparing to support implementation of Workforce PELL, which would expand federal financial aid access for short-term training programs.
Preserve Critical Student Aid Programs
CSAC is urging lawmakers to maintain funding for existing programs that support students and address workforce needs, including the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and the Middle Class Scholarship.
How Legislative Support for CSAC’s Policy Agenda Can Improve Student Outcomes
CSAC Student Commissioner Keiry Saravia emphasized the real-life impact of financial aid programs for students navigating the rising cost of college.
“As a student navigating the complexities of college affordability, I see firsthand how crucial these programs are,” said CSAC Commissioner Keiry Saravia. “Access to financial aid is a lifeline for many of us, allowing us to focus on our studies rather than overwhelming debt. Modernizing programs like Cal Grant C and ensuring equitable access through CADAA are essential steps toward a more just system.”
The foundational aspects of CSAC’s work were also highlighted, underscoring the importance of robust internal operations.
“Our focus on critical infrastructure is foundational to safeguarding student data and ensuring the integrity of our financial aid programs,” said CSAC Commissioner Brian Haynes. “Similarly, bolstering our regional college access networks like CAL-SOAP is paramount to reaching every student, regardless of their geographic location or background. These are not simply administrative needs; they are essential to fulfilling our promise of educational opportunity for all Californians.”
Professionals on the ground are integral to translating these state-level priorities into tangible support for students.
“From the front lines of financial aid offices across the state, we witness the profound impact that timely and adequate support has on student success,” said Linda Doughty, Director of the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) for San Diego and Imperial Counties. “The proposed infrastructure investments and program enhancements discussed today are critical to our ability to serve students effectively and across all regions of the state. Strengthening CSAC’s capacity directly translates to better support for California’s aspiring college students.”
CSAC remains committed to working with the Legislature and partners across the state to advance policies that expand opportunity and ensure that all Californians have access to affordable higher education.
“Investing in our students’ futures is an investment in California’s prosperity,” said CSAC Commissioner Chris Ferguson. “The priorities we’ve outlined today are just about financial aid; they are about building a more equitable and skilled workforce for generations to come. We urge our legislative partners to join us in this vital endeavor.”
