A new California law will now provide financial assistance to transfer HBCU students to ensure they receive state aid.
Signed last week by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the new bill will provide a one-time $5,000 grant for any students who move to an HBCU from a community college. Although the state doesn’t have an HBCU, the money from the funds can be used by California residents to cover out-of-state tuition.
In a report by Edsource.org, the government officials who are part of the California Student Aid Commission reported that the purpose of the financial aid would be to benefit both the students and the state. By investing in the students, the state officials will use funds generated by the College Access Tax Credit to provide for a more accessible education for potential prospects of in-state job positions.
“We thank the Legislature and Governor for their support on this crucial bill,” said the executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, Marlene Garcia, in a statement. “Currently, California does not have any HBCUs, so students who seek the unique experience of an HBCU must go out of state and forgo any state-based financial aid.”
“AB 1400 creatively redirects funds to provide support to California’s students looking to transfer to an HBCU and bring their talents back to California,” she added.
For now, only a select number of students can receive the aid. According to data released by the creator of the bill, Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan, 39 out of 53 students who transferred out of California community colleges went on to attend an HBCU in the 2021-22 school year.
I am very proud that we can close National HBCU Week by promising financial aid to future CA community college students who transfer to an HBCU. Grateful to @GavinNewsom for supporting the needs of all students.
— Asm. Isaac G. Bryan (@isaacgbryan) October 1, 2023
For info on CA’s HBCU transfer program: https://t.co/mrolxW27nE pic.twitter.com/GtcLatN7xY
Overall, however, HBCU attendance rates are on the rise across the nation. Following the pandemic, multiple HBCUs reported a surge in enrollment rates. Per the National Center for Education Statistics, in the past year, the percentage of students that attend an HBCU increased by approximately 57%.
As a result, according to the White House, HBCUs have been successful in producing 40% of Black engineers, 50% of Black teachers, 70% of Black doctors and dentists, as well as 80% of Black judges.
Historically, HBCUs have been severely underfunded. Under the Biden-Harris administration, however, multiple grants and funding have recently been dedicated to the institutions, with leaders devoting $7 billion in investments to the establishments.
Most recently, the administration’s latest move for improving HBCU conditions was demanding that governors in 16 states address the $12 billion funding gap between land-grant HBCUs and other non-HBCU universities.
