Education finance: funding: noncredit instruction.

Assembly Member Sharp-Collins' proposal to establish base funding allocations for noncredit education programs at California community colleges outlines new parameters for supporting specialized student services at dedicated noncredit institutions.

The legislation creates two distinct categories of eligible institutions: noncredit colleges, which are independently accredited institutions offering only noncredit instruction, and noncredit centers, which are educational facilities within community college districts providing exclusively noncredit programs. To qualify for base funding, both types of institutions must maintain executive leadership responsible for noncredit operations and offer designated support services with dedicated program coordinators. Noncredit centers face additional requirements, including a 10-year minimum operational commitment and approval from the Board of Governors.

Under the proposal, qualifying institutions become eligible for base funding across multiple categorical programs, including basic needs services, disabled student programs, mental health services, the Student Equity and Achievement Program, and veteran resource centers. The Board of Governors, in consultation with the Chancellor's office, holds responsibility for determining the specific methodology for allocating these funds. This framework builds upon existing Education Code provisions governing noncredit instruction while establishing new administrative structures for program delivery and oversight.

The measure addresses funding distribution for essential student support services within California's noncredit education system, requiring participating institutions to demonstrate administrative capacity and programmatic infrastructure before accessing categorical program funds. This approach creates formal channels for sustaining student services at institutions focused exclusively on noncredit instruction.