[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6528211,"mediaKeyId","3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357","parentId",3415207,"title","Students and advocates press Legislature for emergency financial aid backfill for students blocked from FAFSA by data‑privacy concerns","audioSeconds",35,"startMs",18649000,"endMs",18684000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357&start=18649&end=18684","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357/thumbnail_18649000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528211/California/Students-and-advocates-press-Legislature-for-emergency-financial-aid-backfill-for-students-blocked-from-FAFSA-by-dataprivacy-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528211-ef09859ae0b9d9049715fbfe38fba7be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453099&Signature=Emr3FCYWg3QIVSaAA7H~v70PICaz9snU4yRv3dMEelmfngGPBgFu-sIlltimu4hRQ3GJ3MHvPRfINSGxfcjw5ym1IDZTspyRXkYCJIZwMSlpr~P0~Z8gexjCIZEUAqbJi76TWtCb-8UVrWpBa~ICESLt0VaFCnMlqO5jghfs10dCJhrkgMqjzHfgqoNaI9CQI-4KLli-pGcZrjPQI-KopvW3QunMoZdIpm-pV-GQslTOHAWnxNU~t2JAgVFa8SGWEIO74MVLYgvVT72KGHeAAEsS7TkAppSe6AZeWVgvJrSnXmCCrVJxaAHiK-IXUEKkyqA4C~3CANTgoAokIJr32w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Assembly","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","Student leaders, the University of California student regent, and financial‑aid advocacy groups urged the Legislature to adopt one‑time state financial aid to backfill students who were unable to obtain federal aid because of data‑privacy concerns or FAFSA system barriers.

Several student speakers — including UC student leaders and the UC Student Regent — thanked the subcommittee for the May Revision’s reduction of UC cuts from 8% to 3% but said the remaining cuts and recent federal FAFSA disruptions disproportionately harm vulnerable students. Samantha Zeng with Next Gen California and coalition members asked the Legislature to fund a one‑time financial aid backfill for students who opted not to file FAFSA or whose data privacy concerns prevented federal financial‑aid access.

Advocates said the May Revision preserves Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship funding and that the May Revision includes a one‑time augmentation to prevent award cuts for some students, but they asked for an explicit, short‑term backfill so no eligible students lose access to aid this year while federal application issues and data‑privacy barriers are resolved.

Why it matters: student speakers said many students from mixed‑status, DACA or privacy‑concerned families — and some students affected by recent fires and displacement — were unable to complete federal applications and risk losing out on need‑based awards. Advocates argued state emergency support would prevent students from dropping out or deferring enrollment.

What was not decided: the Legislature did not commit to a specific one‑time backfill amount in this hearing; coalition members said they would update coalition letters to reflect fiscal realities and continue discussions with the committee.

Ending: The subcommittee heard broad stakeholder support for protecting existing Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship awards and for exploring a targeted one‑time state backfill to avoid immediate gaps for students shut out of federal aid by system or privacy problems.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance","oneSentenceSummary","Student leaders and financial aid advocates asked the Assembly Budget Subcommittee to adopt a one‑time state financial aid backfill for students who could not access federal FAFSA aid because of data‑privacy concerns or system failures; advocates said the May Revision’s protections for Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship funding are important but may not reach all affected students.","taxTitle","California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California","taxId",17099,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528221,"Public commenters urge full funding for Universal School Meals and kitchen infrastructure in May Revision",223,2227000,2450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357&start=2227&end=2450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357/thumbnail_2227000.jpg","/articles/6528221/California/Public-commenters-urge-full-funding-for-Universal-School-Meals-and-kitchen-infrastructure-in-May-Revision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528221-9216fbba7465cd3fc8b1b1d5e4ca8f89/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453099&Signature=niHJqrME5wnV0WT5D0cFlC3JFeFS2o67MxK9biMr75gB5LLk3LAzAHetdzSV9VgLUMKoTwY3rWX3DNfnHfBXCrtnOPHSUgdidU4Pl2otwYoRDSqRDOtAUK7Q1HShMEMigL2RMLIsr1qba7h2ubwgDFNgusKcJ0iZqyOkWyaFgZZM-7G76m5Ile8pfEDhluIXdrWqP8fwRewLKA1-PTOEcJsb5Ut8dxk8XU4fgvetuwZGHUyxE-k8fOTcV4VOR~K~0nsjlOFBCGdeFdlcQTDUCnZmu2iVcDODh5GkHkzSm1e3qxuqRx-9KiMNPN2pGIfN72buI7~~BOTDdfZ~ou~hIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Advocates and nonprofit representatives urged the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 to preserve full funding for School Meals for All and the May Revision’s proposed $150 million one‑time kitchen infrastructure and training grant program.

Lizzie Kutsona, speaking for the Office of Kat Taylor and the Center for Ecoliteracy, told the panel the state proposal \"includes full funding for the program, including increases for increased participation and the proposed $150,000,000 in one‑time funding for the kitchen infrastructure and training program.\" Kutsona said universal school meals “quickly puts money back in the pockets of families when their children eat for free at school.”

Speakers from SEIU California, NextGen California’s nutrition partners, the California Association of Food Banks, and school‑district representatives echoed support for continued funding. Kimberly Sanchez of Nexon California said state evaluations show the program reduces stigma and that the kitchen infrastructure grants helped districts meet increased demand. The California Association of Food Banks urged maximizing federal drawdown and recommended an online statewide application and a $6,000,000 pilot for summer caregiver meals to allow caregivers to eat with children at library‑based summer sites.

Why it matters: advocates said universal meals are one of the simplest levers to address food insecurity and rising cost of living for families, and they said kitchen infrastructure funds are necessary to scale operations to meet increased participation.

What was not decided: committee discussion in the day’s panels focused on Proposition 98 architecture and other K–12 tradeoffs; subcommittee members did not take a vote on this public request during the hearing. Advocates asked the Legislature to retain the governor’s May Revision proposal as drafted.

Ending: Several groups asked the subcommittee to keep kitchen infrastructure grants and maintain the full School Meals for All funding package in the final budget, highlighting operational supports, federal match opportunities, and the program’s role in lowering family food costs.

","Advocates told the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 that the May Revision’s full funding for School Meals for All and $150 million in one‑time kitchen infrastructure and training grants are essential to fight childhood hunger and to scale local meal operations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528226,"May Revision rebenching shifts TK costs into K–12; community colleges and LAO warn of deferred costs and larger deferrals",622,3100000,3722000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357&start=3100&end=3722","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357/thumbnail_3100000.jpg","/articles/6528226/California/May-Revision-rebenching-shifts-TK-costs-into-K12-community-colleges-and-LAO-warn-of-deferred-costs-and-larger-deferrals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528226-061e3512832d1d7f4b015aea8e768207/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453099&Signature=Nyd1uyveR8UCUqOKkk49McV0PEqgHsFsVhTCGmK-4x9LKDmY0SJ5hSqzWJtSG6apH--9H2mMwZZgpsrSTGZGim3mCgi6iWTCS4zCDsXkLS-8Mm1evo8ya8oQ4LFk0gmxJtM2FmCCDdGEi~3AKHfqJR0u6Z7bOec8Yc9iXy3xzQ3bVG1G1NI21x2xCx1xP77DpaJr6xQysu1kvUPNn8wVNeApfEqjES278nHCzXNtiBi41PAFh9frF9E3phUwEkONFfZQxHUBPFz-luQQbRyhuLK1GdL9XEE-8igJOi3wLiCY8LGIUhHTpWOm6omFsE800XhfrlW9M~uK2~2UZcGTAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California Department of Finance told the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance that the May Revision forecasts the Proposition 98 guarantee for 2025–26 at $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion lower than the governor’s January forecast, and proposes rebenching certain program costs — including universal transitional kindergarten (TK) — onto the K–12 side of the Proposition 98 split.

The rebenching proposal removes TK funding from the K–12/community college split calculation and shifts $492 million from community colleges to K–12 going forward, according to Alex Schopf of the Department of Finance. The administration said the move is intended to align program funding with where the costs are realized and to address multi‑year TK expansion that has increased K–12 costs.

Why it matters: the LAO and community college leaders warned the committee the May Revision relies heavily on payment deferrals, one‑time monies and reduced reserves to preserve or expand many K–12 proposals despite lower revenue estimates. \"Deferrals effectively are debts that reduce the funding available in the future and weaken district cash flow,\" Ken Kippon of the Legislative Analyst's Office said, noting the governor’s package shifts roughly $2.4 billion in deferrals, of which a larger share, as a percentage of their budgets, affects community colleges.

Deputies from the Department of Finance told the committee they are attempting to backfill some prior‑year impacts to community colleges using reappropriations and system savings identified by the Chancellor’s Office. Justin Hirsch, Department of Finance, said the administration proposes appropriations and reappropriations to avoid immediate cuts to community college operations for prior years. Chancellor and district representatives told the committee they remain concerned about impacts in future years and about the cumulative effect of retroactive rebenching and larger deferrals.

The LAO offered an alternative package that would align ongoing spending with the revised guarantee, avoid deferrals, and delay or reject certain new ongoing proposals. The LAO also recommended reconsidering reliance on a historical \"split\" (the nominal 89/11 school/college split) and instead build budgets around priorities such as COLA, enrollment growth, and core program funding.

Committee members asked Finance and LAO how the state should weigh TK facility and staffing costs versus impacts on the community college system; Finance said rebenching seeks to correct multi‑year adjustments as TK expansion continued, and LAO urged the Legislature to prioritize objectives (e.g., TK facilities) rather than target a fixed historical percentage.

The May Revision also proposes a $1,300,000,000 downward revision to an earlier settlement obligation and a variety of rebenching and reserve adjustments, including a $540 million deposit/withdrawal plan for the Public School Stabilization Account across 2024–25 and 2025–26. The LAO cautioned these moves reduce the state’s flexibility should revenues weaken further and suggested a more cautious, targeted approach.

What’s next: Committee members sought additional data from both Finance and the Chancellor’s Office about how colleges will be made whole in the near term and what the out‑year exposure will be if revenues continue to slow. The LAO recommended the Legislature consider rejecting some new ongoing proposals and using one‑time funds to increase the discretionary K–12 block grant instead of layering on ongoing obligations.

Ending: The rebenching of TK and related Proposition 98 technical changes were the central policy tensions in the panel: the administration emphasized aligning costs with where they fall, while the LAO and community college leaders warned the approach uses deferrals and one‑time fixes that may create painful budget choices in 2026–27 if revenues continue to soften.","The California Department of Finance told the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance that the May Revision reduces the Proposition 98 guarantee for 2025–26 and rebenches universal transitional kindergarten costs onto the K–12 side, shifting roughly $492 million away from community colleges; the Legislative Analyst’s Office and community college representatives warned the package relies on deferrals and one‑time fixes that could create budget pressure in future years.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528216,"May Revision adds one‑time loans/stipend changes and Golden State Teacher funds; LAO and advocates debate targeting and effectiveness",459,6225000,6684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357&start=6225&end=6684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357/thumbnail_6225000.jpg","/articles/6528216/California/May-Revision-adds-onetime-loansstipend-changes-and-Golden-State-Teacher-funds-LAO-and-advocates-debate-targeting-and-effectiveness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528216-541d836a7e890dfae8b5485a52efb0a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453099&Signature=PDV8Vv1WxZDDYzjp-yWx78RIMdhIpLdetfYuMF9DJtHB08X3hN~gARMtuVRHD-ytaT7QyVbwBFZfqa~PSTxWU9Yz5ocxmZrPKqXrzOI8tru-EcxfOS7EaDVIcS0XK9pqqspP6HKE~P-CLIvy4oX6HOV3QlqZv3~OMbuuymYJ7wkbxe-nYqYPES~rOWBXHqANB0FH-zEfhsLOnqYrnRNp1cP96bRoeh86Ly6CZvMnb8w004pjW5lXRtTrQzN-t2uzln~oE9XIKZMwl00Lpv3XOWcAXQwWfPjvPOQTjzx35hUuoHR~ytkVeoPhp4-J-XPt8umqlPzxmQGGWQlmi7KJ4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The May Revision retooled a previously proposed teacher loan repayment program into a $100,000,000 one‑time student‑teacher stipend program. Under the proposal, Kern County Superintendent of Schools would serve as the administrative entity and distribute $10,000 stipends to eligible candidates who complete 500 hours of student teaching; up to 2% of the appropriation may be reserved for administration and outreach.

Department of Finance staff said eligible candidates include those enrolled in programs for preliminary multiple or single subject credentials, education specialist credentials and certain early childhood credentials. Kern County would collect participant information and submit reports to the Legislature and Department of Finance.

Separately, Finance noted the Golden State Teacher Grant Program — previously funded with a five‑year $500 million allocation — would receive supplemental one‑time funding in the May Revision (an additional $50 million augmentation plus carryover), intended to support teacher preparation and recruitment. The administration described the Golden State augmentation as one‑time funding to reach more participants; Department of Finance estimated the additional $50 million funds about 5,000 awards at $10,000 each.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the Golden State change and the student‑teacher stipend proposal as currently structured. LAO analysts said the earlier loan repayment approach lacked evidence of effectiveness at increasing teacher recruitment in shortage areas and was not well targeted to subject or geographic shortage needs. The LAO recommended that, in a tight fiscal environment, the Legislature prioritize targeted investments or expand discretionary block grants districts could use locally.

Why it matters: committee members and advocates stressed the persistent teacher shortage and called the stipend idea a way to reduce barriers for candidate teachers during an expensive student‑teaching period. Supporters said direct stipends ease financial strain for candidates and may improve teacher entry and retention; the LAO asked for better targeting to high‑need districts, subjects, or pathways if the Legislature chooses to fund the proposal.

Implementation details and uncertainties: the stipend plan would be administered centrally by Kern County with statewide outreach. Finance said the stipend is one‑time funding but open to being made ongoing if future resources permit. The LAO and several members asked whether prioritization or service commitments (for example, prioritizing hires who commit to serve in high‑need schools) could be added.

Ending: The subcommittee asked department staff to continue consultations on program design, and several members signaled interest in identifying targeting criteria or other guardrails to maximize impact if the stipend and Golden State augmentations are retained in the final budget.

","The May Revision converts a loan‑repayment concept into a $100 million one‑time student‑teacher stipend program administered by Kern County and adds one‑time funds to the Golden State Teacher Grant; the LAO recommended rejecting the stipend/loan approach because it is not targeted to shortage areas and lacks solid evidence of effectiveness, while",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528207,"California Indian Nations College asks Legislature for $7 million one‑time to remain open amid accreditation and start‑up gap",114,18741000,18855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357&start=18741&end=18855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3415207-c944297aaf6914065e1bd36767b7c357/thumbnail_18741000.jpg","/articles/6528207/California/California-Indian-Nations-College-asks-Legislature-for-7-million-onetime-to-remain-open-amid-accreditation-and-startup-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528207-85368db9780c56fa48e44da0aa50d3dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453099&Signature=XLiRgftgjZvZ9hwUXmvSu-HU290iDLeCu7MBSXcwFxcOWo8Lo2~o5Qoi7s4IpHevJCd6uZ8iWNCFLbFbKt7eD~d7zcmWEirIwX5GJq6kFh5FXMRdBnVLo2rvxSE3ZxXKALDiZqtQ3yoYqpqHfsicAex4jqXoi97ktv5M5jV0EaDLZvbrEVITQO~9MHnZ7ymlVyUdR6N~1J09zVOI-gzB0Dr8LMxFN8hHJhSuqu-0DJnJoLRhuGH394MUpVoAPV6rbHEr9zwJVxtcjquhC3zqoJEI3agsJ1feukIXvYpQDP2G0FXM7oHUtzWyoPlLQSy-6pCuAEIDdH60OIDEW8LdMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","California Indian Nations College (CINC) representatives told the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 they face an immediate funding cliff and asked the Legislature to include at least $7 million in one‑time funding in the 2025–26 state budget to keep the college open.

Student leaders, the college’s superintendent‑president and development director described CINC as a public two‑year tribal college that serves students from over 100 tribes and said the institution received $5 million in the 2022–23 state budget to support accreditation work. CINC reported achieving candidacy accreditation in January and said it is pursuing federal designation and funding — a process that the college said is likely to take at least two years.

CINC representatives told the committee they have no ongoing federal or state funding source yet and said without one additional year of state bridge funding they would be forced to close. \"We are a public institution that receives no ongoing federal or state funding. We need at least 1 year of funding to stay open,\" Janine Jordan, CINC’s director of development, said.

Why it matters: CINC said tribal colleges provide culturally relevant education and higher completion rates for American Indian and Alaska Native students; committee testimony argued that losing CINC would reverse progress and leave California without a federally recognized tribal college or university.

What was requested: CINC asked for a one‑time appropriation of $7,000,000 to sustain operations while it completes the federal funding process. Speakers noted prior state support and described student success stories and workforce and cultural benefits tied to the college.

What was not decided: The subcommittee heard the request during public comment; no appropriation was adopted during the hearing. Members asked for further information and expressed appreciation for CINC’s work but did not commit to specific funding in the meeting.

Ending: CINC’s leaders and students asked the Legislature to preserve the recent investment and to provide a bridge appropriation so the college can continue operating while it seeks federal funding and final accreditation steps.","California Indian Nations College (CINC), a public two‑year tribal college, told the Assembly subcommittee it needs at least $7 million one‑time in this budget cycle to avoid closure while awaiting federal funding and to sustain operations after achieving candidacy accreditation; speakers said closure would erase years of work to build a tribal","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Students and advocates press Legislature for emergency financial aid backfill for students blocked from FAFSA by data‑privacy concerns

Public commenters urge full funding for Universal School Meals and kitchen infrastructure in May Revision

May Revision rebenching shifts TK costs into K–12; community colleges and LAO warn of deferred costs and larger deferrals

May Revision adds one‑time loans/stipend changes and Golden State Teacher funds; LAO and advocates debate targeting and effectiveness

California Indian Nations College asks Legislature for $7 million one‑time to remain open amid accreditation and start‑up gap