Amended IN Senate March 25, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 323Introduced by Senator PrezFebruary 11, 2025An act to amend Section 69508.5 of the Education Code, relating to student financial aid. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 323, as amended, Prez. Student Aid Commission: California Dream Act application.Existing law exempts a student, other than a nonimmigrant alien, as defined, from paying nonresident tuition at the California State University and the California Community Colleges if the student meets certain requirements. Existing law makes a student who meets these requirements for exemption from nonresident tuition, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the state to the full extent permitted by federal law. Existing law requires the Student Aid Commission to establish procedures and forms that enables these students to apply for, and participate in, those student financial aid programs.This bill would require the commission, by the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, to amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid. The bill would also require the commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education. Existing law establishes the California DREAM Loan Program, which provides a student attending a participating campus of the University of California or California State University with a loan, referred to as a DREAM loan, if the student satisfies specified requirements, including a requirement that the student be exempt from paying nonresident tuition or meet equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California.This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would require the commission to amend the California Dream Act application and any of its grant processing systems to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any eligible student for state financial aid programs, as provided, and require the commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education to promote the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available specific to the application they or their families may use.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 69508.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:69508.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a student who meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 68130.5, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, is eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law. The Legislature finds and declares that this section is a state law within the meaning of Section 1621(d) of Title 8 of the United States Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the Student Aid Commission commission shall establish procedures and forms that enable students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Section 68130.5, or who meet equivalent requirements adopted by the regents, to apply for, and participate in, all student financial aid programs administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law.(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that all forms of state-based aid in California be made equally available to students who are exempt, pursuant to Section 68130.5, from paying nonresident tuition and to all other students who qualify for state-based aid in this state.(d) By the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, the commission shall amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.(e) The commission shall consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would do both of the following:(a)Require, no later than the 202627 financial aid cycle, the Student Aid Commission to amend the California Dream Act application and any of its grant processing systems to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any eligible student for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.(b)Require the Student Aid Commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education to promote the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available specific to the application they or their families may use.
Amended IN Senate March 25, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 323Introduced by Senator PrezFebruary 11, 2025An act to amend Section 69508.5 of the Education Code, relating to student financial aid. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 323, as amended, Prez. Student Aid Commission: California Dream Act application.Existing law exempts a student, other than a nonimmigrant alien, as defined, from paying nonresident tuition at the California State University and the California Community Colleges if the student meets certain requirements. Existing law makes a student who meets these requirements for exemption from nonresident tuition, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the state to the full extent permitted by federal law. Existing law requires the Student Aid Commission to establish procedures and forms that enables these students to apply for, and participate in, those student financial aid programs.This bill would require the commission, by the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, to amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid. The bill would also require the commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education. Existing law establishes the California DREAM Loan Program, which provides a student attending a participating campus of the University of California or California State University with a loan, referred to as a DREAM loan, if the student satisfies specified requirements, including a requirement that the student be exempt from paying nonresident tuition or meet equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California.This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would require the commission to amend the California Dream Act application and any of its grant processing systems to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any eligible student for state financial aid programs, as provided, and require the commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education to promote the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available specific to the application they or their families may use.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Senate March 25, 2025
Amended IN Senate March 25, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 323
Introduced by Senator PrezFebruary 11, 2025
Introduced by Senator Prez
February 11, 2025
An act to amend Section 69508.5 of the Education Code, relating to student financial aid.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 323, as amended, Prez. Student Aid Commission: California Dream Act application.
Existing law exempts a student, other than a nonimmigrant alien, as defined, from paying nonresident tuition at the California State University and the California Community Colleges if the student meets certain requirements. Existing law makes a student who meets these requirements for exemption from nonresident tuition, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the state to the full extent permitted by federal law. Existing law requires the Student Aid Commission to establish procedures and forms that enables these students to apply for, and participate in, those student financial aid programs.This bill would require the commission, by the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, to amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid. The bill would also require the commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education. Existing law establishes the California DREAM Loan Program, which provides a student attending a participating campus of the University of California or California State University with a loan, referred to as a DREAM loan, if the student satisfies specified requirements, including a requirement that the student be exempt from paying nonresident tuition or meet equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California.This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would require the commission to amend the California Dream Act application and any of its grant processing systems to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any eligible student for state financial aid programs, as provided, and require the commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education to promote the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available specific to the application they or their families may use.
Existing law exempts a student, other than a nonimmigrant alien, as defined, from paying nonresident tuition at the California State University and the California Community Colleges if the student meets certain requirements. Existing law makes a student who meets these requirements for exemption from nonresident tuition, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the state to the full extent permitted by federal law. Existing law requires the Student Aid Commission to establish procedures and forms that enables these students to apply for, and participate in, those student financial aid programs.
This bill would require the commission, by the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, to amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid. The bill would also require the commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.
Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education. Existing law establishes the California DREAM Loan Program, which provides a student attending a participating campus of the University of California or California State University with a loan, referred to as a DREAM loan, if the student satisfies specified requirements, including a requirement that the student be exempt from paying nonresident tuition or meet equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would require the commission to amend the California Dream Act application and any of its grant processing systems to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any eligible student for state financial aid programs, as provided, and require the commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education to promote the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available specific to the application they or their families may use.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 69508.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:69508.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a student who meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 68130.5, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, is eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law. The Legislature finds and declares that this section is a state law within the meaning of Section 1621(d) of Title 8 of the United States Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the Student Aid Commission commission shall establish procedures and forms that enable students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Section 68130.5, or who meet equivalent requirements adopted by the regents, to apply for, and participate in, all student financial aid programs administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law.(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that all forms of state-based aid in California be made equally available to students who are exempt, pursuant to Section 68130.5, from paying nonresident tuition and to all other students who qualify for state-based aid in this state.(d) By the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, the commission shall amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.(e) The commission shall consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would do both of the following:(a)Require, no later than the 202627 financial aid cycle, the Student Aid Commission to amend the California Dream Act application and any of its grant processing systems to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any eligible student for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.(b)Require the Student Aid Commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education to promote the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available specific to the application they or their families may use.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 69508.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:69508.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a student who meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 68130.5, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, is eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law. The Legislature finds and declares that this section is a state law within the meaning of Section 1621(d) of Title 8 of the United States Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the Student Aid Commission commission shall establish procedures and forms that enable students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Section 68130.5, or who meet equivalent requirements adopted by the regents, to apply for, and participate in, all student financial aid programs administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law.(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that all forms of state-based aid in California be made equally available to students who are exempt, pursuant to Section 68130.5, from paying nonresident tuition and to all other students who qualify for state-based aid in this state.(d) By the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, the commission shall amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.(e) The commission shall consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.
SECTION 1. Section 69508.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
69508.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a student who meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 68130.5, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, is eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law. The Legislature finds and declares that this section is a state law within the meaning of Section 1621(d) of Title 8 of the United States Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the Student Aid Commission commission shall establish procedures and forms that enable students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Section 68130.5, or who meet equivalent requirements adopted by the regents, to apply for, and participate in, all student financial aid programs administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law.(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that all forms of state-based aid in California be made equally available to students who are exempt, pursuant to Section 68130.5, from paying nonresident tuition and to all other students who qualify for state-based aid in this state.(d) By the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, the commission shall amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.(e) The commission shall consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.
69508.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a student who meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 68130.5, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, is eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law. The Legislature finds and declares that this section is a state law within the meaning of Section 1621(d) of Title 8 of the United States Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the Student Aid Commission commission shall establish procedures and forms that enable students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Section 68130.5, or who meet equivalent requirements adopted by the regents, to apply for, and participate in, all student financial aid programs administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law.(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that all forms of state-based aid in California be made equally available to students who are exempt, pursuant to Section 68130.5, from paying nonresident tuition and to all other students who qualify for state-based aid in this state.(d) By the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, the commission shall amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.(e) The commission shall consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.
69508.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a student who meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 68130.5, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, is eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law. The Legislature finds and declares that this section is a state law within the meaning of Section 1621(d) of Title 8 of the United States Code.(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the Student Aid Commission commission shall establish procedures and forms that enable students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Section 68130.5, or who meet equivalent requirements adopted by the regents, to apply for, and participate in, all student financial aid programs administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law.(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that all forms of state-based aid in California be made equally available to students who are exempt, pursuant to Section 68130.5, from paying nonresident tuition and to all other students who qualify for state-based aid in this state.(d) By the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, the commission shall amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.(e) The commission shall consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.
69508.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a student who meets the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 68130.5, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, is eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law. The Legislature finds and declares that this section is a state law within the meaning of Section 1621(d) of Title 8 of the United States Code.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the Student Aid Commission commission shall establish procedures and forms that enable students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Section 68130.5, or who meet equivalent requirements adopted by the regents, to apply for, and participate in, all student financial aid programs administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that all forms of state-based aid in California be made equally available to students who are exempt, pursuant to Section 68130.5, from paying nonresident tuition and to all other students who qualify for state-based aid in this state.
(d) By the start of the 202627 financial aid cycle, the commission shall amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.
(e) The commission shall consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.
It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation that would do both of the following:
(a)Require, no later than the 202627 financial aid cycle, the Student Aid Commission to amend the California Dream Act application and any of its grant processing systems to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any eligible student for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.
(b)Require the Student Aid Commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education to promote the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while also apprising students of the choices available specific to the application they or their families may use.