SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), representing the voice of 2.1 million California community college students, expresses deep concern regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to eliminate discretionary funding for Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) programs.
Nearly 100 California Community Colleges are federally designated as MSIs, serving as access points for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and historically underserved students. These programs provide essential resources that help institutions close equity gaps, support student success, and strengthen the state’s workforce pipeline.
The SSCCC has consistently upheld educational equity as a guiding value, affirming support for programs and legislation that remove barriers and ensure access and success for those who have experienced historical inequities. Earlier this year, SSCCC’s delegation passed a resolution opposing federal actions that would weaken critical higher education programs, noting that such changes directly harm students.
While legal and policy experts debate whether the Department of Education has the authority to end these programs or redirect congressionally appropriated funding, one fact remains clear: students stand to lose the most. These long-established programs, authorized under the Higher Education Act, have been a lifeline for institutions committed to advancing equity and opportunity.
“Nearly 100 of our colleges are Minority-Serving Institutions. Cutting support to them is not just a policy change — it’s a disruption of opportunity for hundreds of thousands of California students,” said SSCCC President, Jerry Reyes.
The SSCCC will continue to monitor developments closely and ensure that the student voice is represented in discussions about the future of MSI programs and federal education funding.
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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