SB-837
Education

Student financial aid: online technology platforms: guidance: training: media campaign.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires development of online tools to help low-income, foster, and undocumented students access financial aid by 2027.
  • Mandates multilingual resources comparing college costs and financial aid options for different student situations.
  • Establishes training programs for school counselors on using new financial aid guidance tools.
  • Launches multilingual media campaign to promote financial aid resources in underserved communities.

Summary

Senator Reyes's proposal to expand California's student financial aid infrastructure centers on developing comprehensive guidance for online platforms that connect underserved students with college funding opportunities. The legislation directs the Student Aid Commission to create guidelines by July 2027 for how schools and libraries can leverage technology to help low-income pupils, foster youth, and undocumented families navigate financial aid resources.

The bill outlines specific requirements for the online platforms, including providing personalized cost and aid information based on students' circumstances, highlighting institutions that meet full demonstrated financial need, and offering side-by-side comparisons of living expenses and funding options. The platforms must incorporate dedicated tools for foster youth and DACA-eligible students, multilingual resources, and progress tracking for California State University and University of California admission requirements. Direct links to key applications like FAFSA, CSS Profile, and the California Dream Act would be mandatory components.

To support implementation, the Student Aid Commission would develop training programs for school counselors, administrators and community organizations on utilizing the new guidance. The commission would also launch a multilingual media campaign to raise awareness about these online resources among underserved communities. The bill's provisions apply to school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and public libraries across California.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 7 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

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

Key Takeaways

  • Requires development of online tools to help low-income, foster, and undocumented students access financial aid by 2027.
  • Mandates multilingual resources comparing college costs and financial aid options for different student situations.
  • Establishes training programs for school counselors on using new financial aid guidance tools.
  • Launches multilingual media campaign to promote financial aid resources in underserved communities.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Eloise Reyes
Eloise ReyesD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Reyes's proposal to expand California's student financial aid infrastructure centers on developing comprehensive guidance for online platforms that connect underserved students with college funding opportunities. The legislation directs the Student Aid Commission to create guidelines by July 2027 for how schools and libraries can leverage technology to help low-income pupils, foster youth, and undocumented families navigate financial aid resources.

The bill outlines specific requirements for the online platforms, including providing personalized cost and aid information based on students' circumstances, highlighting institutions that meet full demonstrated financial need, and offering side-by-side comparisons of living expenses and funding options. The platforms must incorporate dedicated tools for foster youth and DACA-eligible students, multilingual resources, and progress tracking for California State University and University of California admission requirements. Direct links to key applications like FAFSA, CSS Profile, and the California Dream Act would be mandatory components.

To support implementation, the Student Aid Commission would develop training programs for school counselors, administrators and community organizations on utilizing the new guidance. The commission would also launch a multilingual media campaign to raise awareness about these online resources among underserved communities. The bill's provisions apply to school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and public libraries across California.

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 Education
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 7 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member