California community colleges face aid deadlines and degree expansion proposals

California community college students are being urged to complete their FAFSA or California Dream Act Applications by September 2 to secure financial aid. The deadline also applies to the expanded Cal Grant C, which now includes support for short-term vocational, occupational, and technical training programs lasting between eight and fifteen weeks.

Separately, two legislative proposals are advancing in the California Assembly that could expand the types of bachelor’s degrees community colleges are permitted to offer. Assembly Bill 2694 would require colleges to meet specific performance standards, while Senate Bill 960 would cap the number of bachelor’s degrees at 15 percent of the total associate degrees granted. While supporters argue these measures address workforce shortages and increase accessibility for working adults, the bills face potential opposition from higher education leaders and the possibility of a veto from Governor Gavin Newsom.