January 2026
Financial Aid
Changes in California Student Aid Commission General Fund Spending
Reflects Governor's Budget Proposals, 2026-27 (In Millions)
| 2025-26 Revised Spending | $2,649 |
| Ongoing Spending | |
| Cal Grant cost increase | $337 |
| Operating expenses and equipment cost increasea | 3 |
| Employee compensation adjustments | —b |
| Subtotal | ($341) |
| Other Actions | |
| 2025-26 Middle Class Scholarships awardsc | $1,054 |
| Technical adjustment | 2 |
| Remove 2025-26 one-time funding | -$93 |
| Subtotal | ($964) |
| Total | $1,305 |
| 2026-27 Proposed Spending | $3,954 |
| a Reflects action adopted last year to provide $1.9 million one time in 2025-26 and $3.5 million ongoing in 2026-27. | |
| b Governor's budget includes $40,000 for these adjustments. | |
| c Starting in 2025-26, Middle Class Scholarship payments are funded one year in arrears. The 2026-27 payment is for 2025-26 awards. | |