Postsecondary education: homeless and former homeless youth.

(1) Existing law requires the California State University and each community college district, and requests the University of California, with respect to each campus in their respective jurisdictions that administers a priority enrollment system, to grant priority for registration for enrollment to homeless youth, as defined. Existing law repeals this requirement on January 1, 2020. This bill would add former homeless youth to the students to be granted, or requested to be granted, priority enrollment. This bill would extend the operation of this provision indefinitely. By extending the operation of requirements relating to student eligibility for priority registration at community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law requires qualifying institutions, other than the University of California, which it requests, to designate a staff member who is employed within the financial aid office, or another appropriate office or department, of the institution to serve as a Homeless and Foster Student Liaison and to inform current and prospective students of the institution about student financial aid and other assistance available to homeless youth and current and former foster youth, as specified. This bill would add former homeless youth to the students with whom a Homeless and Foster Student Liaison works. To the extent that this provision would impose new duties on community college districts, it would constitute a state-mandated local program. (3) Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission and assigns to it numerous duties with respect to student financial aid programs, including the Community College Student Financial Aid Outreach Program and the Student Opportunity and Access Program. Both of these programs serve youth from low-income households. This bill would add former homeless youth, as defined, to those served by these programs. (4) Existing law requires the governing board of each community college district to charge an enrollment fee of $46 per unit per semester, but requires the waiver of this fee for students meeting specified requirements. This bill would add persons who are, at the time of enrollment, former homeless youth, as defined, to those eligible for this fee waiver. To the extent that this provision would impose new duties on community college districts, it would constitute 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 the statutory provisions noted above.