SB-685
Education

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

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
1
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a pilot program providing full financial aid to homeless students at three CSU campuses.
  • Requires students to be age 17-26 and have experienced homelessness during high school to qualify.
  • Creates campus liaisons to support homeless students with resources and program information.
  • Launches in 2026 and expires in 2031 pending program evaluation and legislative review.

Summary

Senator Cortese's proposal to establish a Financial Assistance for Students Experiencing Homelessness Pilot Program would create targeted support for formerly homeless students at three California State University campuses, including San Jose State University. The program would cover remaining attendance costs beyond existing financial aid for qualifying students who experienced homelessness during high school and are between ages 17 and 26.

To participate, students must maintain full-time enrollment while pursuing their first bachelor's degree, complete federal or state financial aid applications, apply for all available grants and fee waivers, and meet academic progress standards. Each campus would designate a liaison to assist qualifying students with applications, financial aid, and support services. The pilot requires participating institutions to cover costs exceeding other non-loan aid during students' first four years of enrollment.

The California Student Aid Commission would establish data-sharing agreements with the Department of Education to identify eligible students while protecting privacy. The CSU Chancellor's office must evaluate the program's impact on retention, housing stability, and food security by December 2030. The pilot would begin in the 2026-27 academic year, contingent on legislative funding, and sunset in July 2031 unless extended by subsequent legislation.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Education Hearing
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Dave Cortese
Dave CorteseD
California State Senator
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 28, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
7007PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a pilot program providing full financial aid to homeless students at three CSU campuses.
  • Requires students to be age 17-26 and have experienced homelessness during high school to qualify.
  • Creates campus liaisons to support homeless students with resources and program information.
  • Launches in 2026 and expires in 2031 pending program evaluation and legislative review.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Dave Cortese
Dave CorteseD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Cortese's proposal to establish a Financial Assistance for Students Experiencing Homelessness Pilot Program would create targeted support for formerly homeless students at three California State University campuses, including San Jose State University. The program would cover remaining attendance costs beyond existing financial aid for qualifying students who experienced homelessness during high school and are between ages 17 and 26.

To participate, students must maintain full-time enrollment while pursuing their first bachelor's degree, complete federal or state financial aid applications, apply for all available grants and fee waivers, and meet academic progress standards. Each campus would designate a liaison to assist qualifying students with applications, financial aid, and support services. The pilot requires participating institutions to cover costs exceeding other non-loan aid during students' first four years of enrollment.

The California Student Aid Commission would establish data-sharing agreements with the Department of Education to identify eligible students while protecting privacy. The CSU Chancellor's office must evaluate the program's impact on retention, housing stability, and food security by December 2030. The pilot would begin in the 2026-27 academic year, contingent on legislative funding, and sunset in July 2031 unless extended by subsequent legislation.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Education Hearing
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 28, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
7007PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member