SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) appreciates Governor Newsom’s continued commitment to supporting community college students in the 2026–27 May Revision. While California faces a projected budget deficit, the Governor’s proposal maintains strong investments in higher education, including $16 billion in General Fund and property tax support for the CCC system—a 50% increase since 2018–19. Overall, the May Revision proposes $50 billion in higher education funding, reflecting an ongoing commitment to student access and affordability.
“We appreciate the Governor’s continued commitment to protecting higher education funding and preserving critical financial aid programs that many students rely on. California Community College students continue to work hard to pursue their education despite rising living costs and ongoing financial challenges. Affordability, basic needs support, and equitable access to resources remain critical to student success, and SSCCC will continue advocating for investments that help every student thrive.” Jerry Reyes, President
The May Revision focuses on key components of higher education and financial aid:
Core financial aid (Cal Grants) is growing
Some flexible or broad-access aid (Middle Class Scholarship) is shrinking
Targeted programs (teacher pipeline, adult learners) are being reshaped—not always expanded
Colleges get cost-of-living increases, but not major new investments in student services.
Specifically, SSCCC highlights the significant budget adjustments for the following programs:
Cal Grant Program Caseload Adjustments—Estimated Cal Grant expenditures of approximately $2.5 billion in 2024-25, $2.9 billion in 2025-26, and $3.2 billion in 2026-27 based on the latest estimates of enrollment of Cal Grant-eligible students. These estimates reflect an increase of $4.8 million one-time General Fund in 2025-26 and $31.5 million ongoing General Fund in 2026-27.
Student Support Block Grant—A one-time increase of $607,000 Proposition 98 General Fund for a flexible block grant for the community colleges. This increases the total amount proposed for 2026-27 to $100.6 million.
Middle Class Scholarship Program—A one-time net decrease of $90.5 million General Fund to reflect the revised estimate for Middle Class Scholarship Program awards issued in the 2025-26 academic year as costs are paid in arrears in accordance with the 2025 Budget Act.
Workforce Pell Implementation—A one-time increase of $664,000 General Fund to support Commission implementation activities to enable California to participate in the new federal Workforce Pell Grant program as authorized under the House of Representatives (H.R.) 1 of 2025.
Local Property Tax Adjustments—An ongoing increase of $122.8 million Proposition 98 General Fund. This is important to California community college students because local property tax revenue is a key source of community college funding. Increased funding helps colleges maintain courses, student services, workforce programs, and basic needs support that directly impact student access and success.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)—the May Revise calls for a 4.31 percent COLA for the Student Centered Funding Formula/Base Apportionment. This is a 2.87 percent statutory COLA and a 1.44 percent discretionary COLA.
Categorical Programs COLA—A 2.87 percent COLA for select categorical programs, with $6.1 million ongoing, is a positive step toward sustaining essential student support services but continues to exclude some programs and deepen inequities for the students served.
SSCCC remains committed to advocating for a higher education system where every California community college student has equitable access to the resources, support, and opportunities needed to succeed. We also continue to be strong proponents of college affordability and support the full, on-time implementation of the Cal Grant reform and the expansion of financial aid for all students.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.2 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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