Community colleges: student financial aid: pilot program.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Existing law establishes community college districts, administered by a governing board, throughout the state, and authorizes these districts to provide instruction to students at the community college campuses maintained by the districts. Existing law requires the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to develop a statement that individual students will be asked to sign, which acknowledges that federal and state funds are available to assist with the costs of college and that information regarding these programs, and assistance in applying for those funds, can be obtained at the financial aid office. This bill would require the Office of the Chancellor, until January 1, 2014, to establish a voluntary pilot program, with specified requirements, to increase student participation in state and federal financial aid programs. The bill would require the Office of the Chancellor to provide specified information on the pilot program to the Legislative Analyst's Office by January 10, 2013, which the Legislative Analyst's Office would be required to use to report to the Legislature on the results of the pilot program and make recommendations for statewide expansion of the pilot program.