WHEREAS, AB 132 (Committee on Budget, 2021)[1] established the requirement for every California Community College to maintain a Basic Needs Center and Basic Needs Coordinator, supported by $30 million in ongoing funding and $100 million in one-time funding over three years from the 2021-2022 Basic Needs Services Support Allocation [2][9];
WHEREAS, The 2025 Real College California Basic Needs Survey, conducted by the RP Group in partnership with the Community College League of California, found that 67% of community college students experienced at least one form of basic needs insecurity, including 46% reporting food insecurity, 58% facing housing insecurity, and 20% experiencing homelessness in the past year [3];
WHEREAS, Research from the Community College Research Center and the California Policy Lab demonstrates that, in Fall 2019, only 26% of CalFresh-eligible community college students actually
participate in the program, representing a significant gap in access to existing federal nutrition benefits that could alleviate food insecurity [4][5];
WHEREAS, The current $43.5 million in ongoing state funding for Basic Needs Centers[10] primarily supports staffing and operational costs, while direct emergency financial assistance to students facing immediate crises (e.g. eviction notices, utility shutoffs, car repairs, or medical emergencies) often relies on time-limited one-time federal HEERF funds or unpredictable college foundation donations [6][7]; and the SSCCC has already advanced statewide basic needs funding priorities including in the 2024–25 budget cycle, alongside the University of California Student Association and the California State University Student Association, it sought $60 million in ongoing support for campus food pantries and basic needs services, demonstrating organized student momentum for sustained basic needs funding [8]; Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate to the California Legislature and Governor for the establishment of dedicated ongoing categorical funding specifically for emergency financial aid grants at California Community Colleges, to be administered through Basic Needs Centers and coordinated with existing student support services;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges urge the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office to prioritize emergency financial aid as a core component of basic needs service delivery in future budget requests and funding allocations, recognizing that immediate financial assistance is essential to student retention and completion; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges urge that any new or increased state funding for Basic Needs services and emergency financial aid include clear implementation standards, technical assistance, and simple, uniform reporting, and that continued funding be tied to measurable improvements in benefit uptake among eligible students and timely, equitable delivery of emergency aid.
Citations:
[1] AB 132 (Committee on Budget, 2021), Chapter 144, Statutes of 2021.
[2] California Education Code Section 66023.5.
[3] 2025 Real College California Basic Needs Survey, RP Group and Community College League of California, September 2025.
[4] Filling the Gap: CalFresh Eligibility and Participation Among College Students, California Policy Lab and CCRC, August 2024.
[5] Many California Community College Students Are Eligible for CalFresh But Not Receiving Benefits, CCRC, December 2024.
[6] How Did Pandemic Recovery Funding Support California Community Colleges? PPIC, May 2024.
[7] Foundation for California Community Colleges, Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund and Emergency Aid Programs.
[8] SSCCC Resolution S24.02.15: Extending Support and Basic Need Resource Center in California Community Colleges.
[9] 2021-22 Basic Needs Services Support Allocations, CCCCO Memo, February 2022
[10] Basic Needs Centers Report for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, May 2024