California State University: financial aid for homeless students: pilot program.

Senator Cortese's proposal to establish a Financial Assistance for Students Experiencing Homelessness Pilot Program would create a targeted support system at four California State University campuses for students who experienced homelessness during high school. The program would cover remaining attendance costs beyond existing financial aid, excluding federal loans, for qualifying students during their first four academic years beginning in 2026-27.

The Office of the Chancellor would select one participating campus from each of four geographic regions: Central California, Northern California, the southern San Francisco Bay area, and Southern California. To qualify, students must be California residents or eligible for nonresident tuition exemptions, have experienced homelessness during grades 9-12 while residing in California, be between ages 17-26 when receiving assistance, and maintain full-time enrollment toward their first bachelor's degree while meeting satisfactory academic progress standards. Recipients must complete federal or state financial aid applications and pursue all other available grants and fee waivers.

Each campus would designate a liaison to assist qualifying students with applications, financial aid, and support services while developing policies to administer the program. The Chancellor's office would evaluate the program's impact on student retention, housing stability, and food security, submitting findings to the Legislature by December 31, 2030. The program requires legislative funding appropriation and would sunset on July 1, 2031.