Public postsecondary education: resident classification.

Under existing law, the segments of the public postsecondary education system in the state include the California Community Colleges, administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, the California State University, administered by the Trustees of the California State University, and the University of California, administered by the Regents of the University of California. Existing law requires, except as otherwise provided, a student classified as a nonresident to pay, in addition to other fees required by the public postsecondary institution, nonresident tuition. Existing law, the federal Yellow Ribbon Program, provides aid to cover up to 100% of out-of-pocket tuition and fees associated with education programs that may exceed the Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition benefit for a student who satisfies specified criteria. This bill would establish the California Yellow Ribbon Matching Fund, under the administration of the Student Aid Commission, and would appropriate $1,000,000 to the fund. Moneys in the fund would be continuously appropriated for purposes of paying a portion of a student's nonresident tuition, provided that the student is enrolled at the California Community Colleges, the California State University, or University of California, and is eligible for tuition and fee benefits under the federal Yellow Ribbon Program. The bill would also require that moneys disbursed to a student by the California Yellow Ribbon Matching Fund not exceed the amount the student is to receive under the federal Yellow Ribbon Program. The bill would only apply to the University of California if the Regents of the University of California adopt a policy to coordinate with the commission for purposes of the fund providing benefits to students enrolled at the University of California who meet the requirements of the fund. To the extent the bill would require community college districts to coordinate with the commission for purposes of paying a student's nonresident tuition, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.