AB 2787

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Under existing law, the Middle Class Scholarship Program provides that, subject to an available and sufficient appropriation, commencing with the 2014–15 academic year, an undergraduate student enrolled at the University of California or the California State University, and meeting certain requirements, is eligible for a scholarship award that, combined with other federal, state, and institutionally administered grants and fee waivers, totals up to 40% of the systemwide tuition and fees. Under existing law, to receive an award under the Middle Class Scholarship Program, a student is required to have an annual household income that does not exceed $150,000 as adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living, satisfy specified requirements for a Cal Grant award, be a California resident or exempt from paying nonresident tuition, file specified financial aid forms, timely apply for publicly funded student financial aid for which he or she is eligible, maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average, be pursuing his or her first undergraduate baccalaureate degree or be enrolled in a specified professional teacher preparation program, and be enrolled at least part time. Existing law transfers $159,000,000 from the General Fund to the Middle Class Scholarship Fund, and appropriates that sum to the Student Aid Commission for purposes of the scholarship program for the 2017–18 year, and each fiscal year thereafter. Existing law requires the University of California and the California State University, in order for students of their respective segments to remain eligible to receive a scholarship award under the Middle Class Scholarship Program, to not supplant their respective institutional need-based grants with funds provided for scholarships under this program, and to maintain their funding amounts at a level that, at a minimum, is equal to the level maintained for undergraduate students during the 2013–14 academic year. This bill would extend the Middle Class Scholarship Program to undergraduate students who meet the requirements of the program and are enrolled in participating private nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions, as defined, commencing with the 2017–18 academic year, as specified. By expanding the appropriation described above, the bill would make an appropriation. The bill would subject participating private nonprofit postsecondary educational institutions to the requirement to maintain its scholarship funding levels, as referenced above.