Bill would increase access to financial aid for California students
(SACRAMENTO, CA) ––The Senate Education Committee passed AB 1091 authored by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) today on a 9-0 vote. The bill will streamline California's financial aid process and increase Cal Grant and FAFSA application completion rates in California.
“After listening to our students and educators in the district in regards to the struggles they've been having in accessing financial aid funds—something needed to be done. AB 1091 will help eliminate administrative barriers for students and enhance access to the financial aid they need to attend college,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.
AB 1091 will:
- Streamline California's financial aid process and increase Cal Grant and FAFSA completion rates.
- Authorize the California State Aid Commission to require verification of high school graduation to be electronically submitted for high school graduates for the purpose of determining financial aid eligibility.
- Authorize the Commission to develop, and make available on its Internet Web site to each school district for the district's use, a standard report that lists the names of all grade 12 pupils within the school district who have and have not completed the FAFSA or the California Dream Act application.
AB 1091 is supported by the California Student Aid Commission, the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership and now heads to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for further consideration.
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Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland.
