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Read. Follow. Verify.AB 402 increases maximum Cal Grant tuition awards and expands transfer eligibility for independent colleges
Record date · August 13, 2026
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What This Bill Would Do
AB 402 increases the maximum Cal Grant A and B tuition award for new recipients at independent colleges to $9,708 starting in the 2026–27 award year and removes funding conditions for students transferring to independent institutions with a California Community College Expanded Entitlement Award.
This bill changes the financial aid landscape for California students by increasing potential tuition support for those attending independent colleges and guaranteeing award portability for community college transfer students regardless of state budget conditions.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Cal Grant A and B recipients
Students may receive higher tuition award amounts at independent institutions starting in 2026–27.
California Community College students
Students transferring to independent institutions are guaranteed continued eligibility for their Expanded Entitlement Award.
Independent institutions of higher education
These institutions are subject to new award maximums based on their associate degree for transfer commitment targets.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Cal Grant award increase if I attend an independent college?
What happens to my community college financial aid if I transfer to a private college?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Removal of Funding Contingency
The bill shifts the eligibility for transfer students from a conditional status (dependent on annual budget acts) to a guaranteed status.
Connected Entities
Sources
openstates.org
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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