SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) thanks the California Women’s Legislative Caucus for uplifting Senate Bill 271 as one of their 2025 legislative priorities. Authored by Senator Eloise Reyes, sponsored by Early Edge California, and co-sponsored by all three statewide higher education student associations — the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), the University of California Student Association (UCSA), and the California State Student Association (CSSA) — this critical legislation is designed to expand access to childcare and ensure students with dependents are fully informed of the financial aid resources available to them.
SB 271 represents a critical step toward making higher education more accessible and inclusive for students with dependents. The bill promotes equity for student parents across California’s higher education systems by targeting systemic barriers. It requires campus basic needs centers to connect parenting students with vital child care resources. It ensures they receive clear, proactive information about the full range of financial aid they may qualify for, including often-overlooked programs that can significantly affect affordability and retention.
“We are deeply grateful to Senator Reyes and the Women’s Legislative Caucus for prioritizing students with dependents. SB 271 reflects what’s possible when student voices, community organizations, and policymakers work together. The SSCCC will continue to champion policies like this that recognize the diverse realities of today’s students.” Ivan Hernandez, SSCCC President.
The SSCCC is proud to stand with our fellow student organizations and community advocates in supporting SB 271. We are especially grateful to the Women’s Legislative Caucus for their commitment to student-centered policy and for recognizing that childcare access and financial aid equity are foundational to student success.
As California continues to lead the nation in student-centered advocacy, the SSCCC urges the Legislature to pass SB 271 and ensure that no student parent is left behind.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving over 2 million students per year. The Student Senate for California Community Colleges mission is to enrich the collegiate experience for all California community college students by pursuing policies that will improve student access and success while engaging and empowering local student leaders and honoring equity and diversity.
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