Legislative Update: Governor Vetoes Higher Ed Bill

Once again, a bill intended to simplify the financial aid process for college kids in California failed to become law.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday returned  unsigned to the California State Assembly. Authored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada), the legislative measure would reduce the number of forms students have to fill out to access finanial aid. Currently, students apply for a Board of Governors waiver or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or both.

Portantino’s bill called for a three-year pilot program at 10 community college campuses where FAFSA would be used as the primary financial aid application.

In Gov. Jerry Brown's veto message he wrote, "This bill orders the Chancellor of the Community Colleges to set up a pilot program at local campuses to figure out how to motivate their students to apply for financial aid.

"This is a matter that each community college can handle on its own." The veto message can be found on the governor's website or viewed to the right.

This was Portantino's second attempt at AB 91; former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill last year. But Portantino plans to bring it back again next year. 

"There's a half a million dollars left on the table,'' Portantino said, shaking his head, as he delivered his State of the State address to . 

Portantino has explained that multiple financial aid documents lend to missed steps and lost chances. In addition to grants and loans, students have also missed out on work-study programs, he has said.

According to the the Oakland-based Institute for College Access and Success, only one-third of community college students complete the forms that would make them eligible for that federal aid.