BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Senator Carol Liu, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 2056
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|Author: |Eduardo Garcia |
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|Version: |April 21, 2016 Hearing |
| |Date: June 15, 2016 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Olgalilia Ramirez |
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Subject: Cal Grant Program: graduation verification
SUMMARY
This bill requires the California Student Aid Commission
(Commission), if it requires the verification of high school
graduation to be submitted electronically-as permitted under
current law, for purposes of meeting the eligibility
requirements for a Cal Grant award, to provide guidance to
school districts so the verification of graduation is submitted
as soon as possible but no later than August 31st, as specified.
BACKGROUND
Existing law:
1) Authorizes the Cal Grant program, administered by the
Commission, to provide grants to financially needy students
to attend a college or university. The Cal Grant programs
include both the entitlement and the competitive Cal Grant
awards. The program consists of the Cal Grant A, Cal Grant
B, and Cal Grant C programs, and eligibility is based upon
financial need, grade point average (GPA), California
residency and other criteria. (Education Code §
69430-69433)
2) Prohibits school districts from permitting access to
student records without written parental consent but makes
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some exceptions, as specified. School districts may
release information from student records to agencies or
organizations in connection with the application of a pupil
for, or receipt of, financial aid. However, information
permitting the personal identification of a pupil or his or
her parents, may be disclosed only as necessary for the
purpose to determine the eligibility of the pupil for
financial aid, to determine the amount of the financial
aid, to determine the conditions that will be imposed
regarding the financial aid, or to enforce the terms or
conditions of the financial aid.
(EC § 49076)
3) Authorizes the Commission to require that GPAs be submitted
electronically for all high school seniors attending public
schools unless the student or parent opts out. (EC §
69432.9)
4) Authorizes the Commission to require verification of high
school graduation or
equivalent to be submitted electronically for all grade 12
pupils who graduated from public schools in the prior academic
year, except for pupils that have opted out. Establishes
legislative intent that high schools verify graduation of their
pupils in time to meet the applicable deadline. (EC § 69432.92)
ANALYSIS
This bill:
1) Requires the California Student Aid Commission
(Commission), if it requires the verification of high
school graduation to be electronically submitted--as
allowed under current law, for purposes of meeting
eligibility requirements for a Cal Grant award, to provide
guidance to school districts so the verification is
submitted as soon as possible but no later than August 31
following the students' graduation.
2) Specifies that its provisions also apply to students who
graduate during the summer following grade 12.
STAFF COMMENTS
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1) Need for the bill. Graduation, among other things, from a
California high school is required for a Cal Grant award.
This requirement needs to be verified, before an award is
paid and late submission could delay payment of a Cal Grant
award. The California Community Colleges Chancellor's
Office, in a support letter states, the verification of
graduation for many students who attend summer school in
order to meet high graduation requirements, is either never
received by the Commission or it is submitted after the Cal
Grant application deadline resulting in delays of Cal Grant
award payments. This bill seeks to ensure that all high
school graduates are reported to the Commission resulting
in timely Cal Grant award payments.
2) Existing process for verification. Typically, a student in
high school is notified of his or her Cal Grant award
during grade 12. Current law authorizes the Commission to
require verification of high school graduation to be
submitted electronically for purposes of meeting the
eligibility requirements for a Cal Grant award. According
to the Commission, graduation verification is submitted to
the Commission in a variety of ways, each of which has its
own unique challenges.
a) Schools and school districts. Some high schools
and schools districts submit verification of high
school graduation directly to the Commission. Other
districts submit the information through the
California Department of Education. In both cases,
however, the Commission may not receive the data
within the time frame needed to process a timely Cal
Grant award payment.
b) Students. If the Commission has not received
verification from either the college or school, a
student can self-certify through the Commission's Web
site. However, most students are not aware of this
process or may become aware after an award payment is
missed.
c) Some universities. Depending on where a student
is enrolled the University may verify graduation. This
is not the case for colleges where graduation from
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high school is not a requirement like at the
California Community Colleges.
The variation in the submission process could
unintentionally exclude students who need to be verified
soon after graduation. As mentioned, under current law the
Commission may require verification of high school
graduation to be submitted electronically. This bill goes
further by requiring the Commission to provide guidance to
schools and school districts so as to ensure students' are
verified as soon as possible but no later than the end of
summer (August 31). This process may provide clarity and
potentially reduce late Cal Grant award payments.
SUPPORT
Association of California School Administrators
California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
California Student Aid Commission
OPPOSITION
None received.
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