July 2026

Community Colleges

2026-27 Changes in California Community Colleges Proposition 98 Spending

(In Millions)

2025-26 Revised Spending $13,248
Ongoing Spending  
Apportionments COLA (2.87 percent) $292
Apportionments increase above COLA (1.44 percent)a 160
Enrollment growth (1.5 percent)b 98
New credit enrollment funding policyc 48
Calbright College 38
COLA for select categorical programs (2.87 percent)d 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  
Student support block grant 47
California Indian Nations College 43
Common Cloud Data Platform 36
Dreamer Resource Liaisons 35
Credit for prior learning 35
Higher 2024-25 and 2025-26 apprenticeship costs 16
Strong Workforce Program 16
LGBTQ+ resource centers 15
Future of Creative Industries Pilot Project 15
Student financial aid administration 10
Early College Demonstration Initiative 10
Adult Learner Demonstration Project 10
Southwestern College pharmacy technician and data science programs 3
Subtotal ($290)
Technical Adjustments  
Expiration of 2025-26 one-time savings $542
Expiration of 2025-26 one-time spending -167
Other technical adjustments -34
Subtotal ($341)
Total Changes $1,354
2026-27 Enacted Spending $14,602
Note: This table reflects spending that counts toward the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee.
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 The budget also includes $55 million in 2024-25 funds to fund additional enrollment growth in 2025-26.
c Beginning in 2026-27, funding for a district's regular credit enrollment will be based on the greater of its three-year average or current enrollment level.
d 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.
COLA = cost-of-living adjustment. LGBTQ = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.