July 2026

Community Colleges

Notable Changes in California Community Colleges Proposition 98 Spending

2024-25 Through 2026-27, Includes Reappropriated Funds (In Millions)

Ongoing Spending  
Apportionments COLA (2.87 percent) $292
Apportionments increase above COLA (1.44 percent)a 160
Enrollment growth (1.5 percent) 98
New credit enrollment funding policyb 48
Calbright College 38
COLA for select categorical programs (2.87 percent)c 36
Student Equity and Achievement Program 30
Healthy School Food Pathways 14
Common Cloud Data Platform 5
Credit for prior learning 2
Subtotal ($723)
One-Time Spending  
2025-26 deferral repayment $408
Student support block grant 147
Higher 2025-26 apportionments costs 141
Deferred maintenance 121
Dreamer Resource Liaisons 71
Additional 2025-26 enrollment growth (1.0 percent)d 55
California Indian Nations College 43
Common Cloud Data Platform 36
Credit for prior learning 35
LGBTQ+ resource centers 30
Higher 2024-25 and 2025-26 apprenticeship costs 16
Strong Workforce Program 16
Future of Creative Industries Pilot Project 15
Student financial aid administration 10
Early College Demonstration Initiative 10
Adult Learner Demonstration Project 10
Pierce College Family Resource Centers 5
Southwestern College pharmacy technician and data science programs 3
Cal-Bridge First Academic Scholar Training 1
Subtotal ($1,173)
Total Changes $1,896
a This increase applies to all districts, including hold harmless districts that are not receiving the COLA. It is intended in part to support the cost of implementing a new paid pregnancy disability leave requirement.
b Beginning in 2026-27, funding for a district's regular credit full-time equivalent students will be based on the greater of its three-year average or current enrollment level.
c Applies to the Adult Education Program, apprenticeship programs, CalWORKs student services, campus child care support, Disabled Students Programs and Services, Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, and mandates block grant.
d Increases funded growth from the enacted 2025-26 level of 0.57 percent to 1.57 percent. The associated ongoing cost is built into apportionments in 2026-27.
COLA = cost-of-living adjustment. LGBTQ = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.