Bill Text: CA SCR195 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session | Amended

California Senate Concurrent Resolution 195

Bill Title: Student Financial Aid Awareness Month.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)

Status: (Engrossed) 2026-08-17 - From committee: Be adopted. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (August 17). [SCR195 Detail]

Download: California-2025-SCR195-Amended.html

Amended IN Senate August 10, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Concurrent Resolution

No. 195

Introduced by Senators Reyes and Pérez
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Fong)

August 05, 2026

Relative to Student Financial Aid Awareness Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SCR 195, as amended, Reyes. Student Financial Aid Awareness Month.

This measure would recognize the month of October each year as Student Financial Aid Awareness Month on California high school, college, and university campuses. The measure would encourage secondary and postsecondary educational institutions to promote financial aid awareness, as specified. The measure would provide that the Student Aid Commission supports specified persons to work together to increase student participation in financial aid programs and to ensure students receive clear, timely, and accessible information about student financial aid programs and that special attention be given to reaching students who may face additional barriers to accessing financial aid, as specified. Month, and that it is important to increase student participation in financial aid programs to ensure that students receive clear, timely, and accessible information about application requirements, deadlines, and available resources.

Fiscal Committee: ~~YES~~NO

WHEREAS, Higher education remains one of the most powerful pathways to opportunity, economic mobility, civic engagement, and individual achievement; and

WHEREAS, California’s future depends upon the ability of students from every region, background, income level, and community to pursue higher education and training beyond high school; and

WHEREAS, The Student Aid Commission is responsible for promoting education equity by making postsecondary education financially accessible and affordable for all Californians, which includes removing communication and awareness barriers for students and families, particularly first-generations students, low-income students, foster youth, student parents, veterans, adult learners, and students from historically underserved communities; and

WHEREAS, Completing the California Dream Act application or Free Application for Federal Student Aid provides access to grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and other forms of financial assistance and allows students to enroll in college, remain enrolled, complete their educational goals, and enter the workforce better prepared to contribute to the state’s prosperity; and

WHEREAS, Many students who are eligible for financial aid do not receive all available assistance because they are unaware of the programs that exist, are uncertain about how to apply, or need additional guidance in completing financial aid applications and related requirements; and

WHEREAS, Timely and accurate information about financial aid is essential to helping students and families make informed decisions about college, career training, and other postsecondary opportunities; and

WHEREAS, High schools, colleges, universities, financial aid professionals, counselors, administrators, faculty, community organizations, student leaders, and families all play an important role in increasing awareness of financial aid opportunities and supporting students through the application process; and

WHEREAS, California has demonstrated a strong and continued commitment to student financial aid through programs and policies designed to expand access to higher education and reduce unmet financial need; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing Student Financial Aid Awareness Month provides an opportunity to encourage students to learn about available financial aid, complete required applications, meet important deadlines, and seek assistance when needed; and

WHEREAS, The observance of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month affirms California’s commitment to education access, equity, affordability, and student success; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the month of October each year ~~is recognized~~ as Student Financial Aid Awareness ~~Month on California high school, college, and university campuses;~~ Month, and that it is important to increase student participation in financial aid programs to ensure that students receive clear, timely, and accessible information about application requirements, deadlines, and available resources; and be it further

Resolved, That California secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, including public, private, nonprofit, and private for-profit institutions, are encouraged to promote financial aid awareness through existing outreach, workshops, counseling, campus events, student communications, and other efforts that help students and families understand and access available financial aid; and be it further
Resolved, That the Student Aid Commission support school administrators, financial aid officers, counselors, faculty, staff, student government leaders, and community partners to work together to increase student participation in financial aid programs and to ensure that students receive clear, timely, and accessible information about application requirements, deadlines, and available resources; and be it further
Resolved, That special attention be given to reaching students who may face additional barriers to accessing financial aid, including first-generation college students, low-income students, foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, students with disabilities, student parents, veterans, adult learners, and students from rural or underserved communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Student Aid Commission, the California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Regents of the University of California, the Trustees of the California State University, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the University of California Student Association, the Cal State Student Association, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, and appropriate associations representing private postsecondary educational institutions.