SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On January 10, 2022, Governor Newsom submitted his 2022-23 State Budget proposal to the Legislature, totaling $286 billion - approximately 9% more than last year. This year’s budget is focused on access and affordability, equity, and innovation and includes a five-year commitment to all three higher education segments - University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges - as well as a 5% increase each year. This multi-year framework invests sustained funding to ensure a commitment from each segment to expand access, equity, and affordability and provides a clear commitment to students by closing the equity gap and assisting students to complete their programs through to their target goals. This framework also creates a more coordinated effort to better align the three segments of higher education.
Nonetheless, the budget proposal fails to address a top priority of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) by truly addressing access, affordability, and equity. Without structural change to the financial aid system, our lowest income and underserved students will still not have equitable access to higher education. Last year the governor and legislature expressed their understanding of the need to fund the full cost of college and provided some financial support towards this goal. However, the much needed structural changes to Cal Grant were not addressed. More work needs to be done to ensure the governor’s vision for access, affordability, and equity is accomplished. The SSCCC looks forward to working with the governor and the legislature on restructuring financial aid within higher education to support students and their dreams.
"The proposed budget allows more investments towards the Community College system. We are looking forward to collaborating with both the legislature and governor's office to achieve a more affordable higher education." Jasmine Prasad, Vice President of Legislative Affairs
"The SSCCC applauds the governor for his vision of access, affordability, and equity in higher education and we encourage the governor and the legislature to invest in modernizing Cal Grant so the California higher education system is accessible and affordable for all Californians." Gerardo Chavez, President
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. The Student Senate for California Community College works to promote and safeguard access for current and future students to California public higher education in accordance with the Master Plan for Higher Education through system participatory governance, legislative and policy advocacy, and regional support and development and is the official voice of California community college students statewide.
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