OUR POLICY AGENDA
SoCal CAN advocates at the local, state and national levels for policies that increase college access and completion for underrepresented students.
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Advocacy Overview
California stands at a crossroads. While our state leads the nation in innovation and opportunity, too many students from underserved communities remain locked out of higher education – not by lack of ability, but by systemic barriers we have the power to remove. Recent federal funding cuts and immigration enforcement attacks have reinforced the essential role of state-level advocacy in protecting and expanding educational opportunity for California students.
In this context, SoCal CAN proudly presents our 2025-26 Policy Agenda. These policy priorities emerged directly from our students, families, network members and partners as the areas that most urgently need to be addressed to support student success. The urgency is clear. Rising costs, unmet basic needs, and attacks on education access are creating a storm that threatens to derail an entire generation’s potential. But within this challenge lies an extraordinary opportunity. Through these reforms – expanding affordability, supporting basic needs, protecting educational access and strengthening college to career connections – we can unlock significant opportunity for California’s students.
We invite you to join us as we work to advance education equity and expand opportunity for all California students. Together we can build policy solutions that ensure every California student has the support needed to succeed in higher education and beyond.
Together We Can! Click on any of our four policy priorities below to learn more.
Senate Bill 323 (Perez): California Financial Aid Assurance Act
In 2025, SoCal CAN is proud to sponsor SB 323 (Pérez) alongside key statewide partners to ensure all California students, regardless of federal aid eligibility, have consistent and equitable access to state and institutional financial aid through the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). As a network dedicated to increasing college access and success for underrepresented students, we recognize how FAFSA technical failures and growing concerns over data privacy have prevented many students, especially from mixed-status families, from applying for aid. We are committed to SB 323 because it eliminates financial aid barriers and empowers students and families to choose the application that best meets their needs.
Senate Bill 671 (Ashby): CalFresh Student Eligibility
SoCal CAN is also proud to be a leading advocate for SB 761 (Ashby), a crucial bill that will significantly expand CalFresh access for low-income college students across California. As part of our deep and ongoing commitment to ending hunger and food insecurity on college campuses, we strongly support this legislation, which removes key barriers that prevent income-eligible students from receiving food assistance. We urge swift passage of this bill and remain fully dedicated to ensuring that no student has to choose between their education and access to basic nutrition.
SoCal CAN gives Kid City students opportunities to spotlight the strides and struggles of first-generation college students to policymakers. SoCal CAN also provides us the information and advocacy tools Kid City students need to reclaim their education, empower their peers, and advocate for system-changing investments in education.