The 2026-27 Budget: California Student Aid Commission

Feb 17, 2026 - Program Has Considerable Overlap With Cal Grant Program. When MCS was originally created, it was targeted to help moderate ‑income students who did not receive Cal Grants cover tuition costs. Thus, the original MCS program was intended to have little, if any, overlap with the Cal Grant program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5127

The 2026-27 Budget: Higher Education Overview

Feb 5, 2026 - Cal Grant Spending Continues to Grow at Historically High Rate. The Cal Grant program is the state ’s largest and longest ‑standing financial aid program. The Governor ’s budget includes a $337   million ongoing General Fund augmentation (12   percent increase) to cover higher projected Cal  Grant costs in 2026 ‑27.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5112

The 2026-27 Budget: California Student Aid Commission [Publication Details]

Feb 17, 2026 - In this brief, we provide an update on Cal Grant cost estimates and discuss recent program trends leading to higher Cal Grant spending. We then analyze the Governor’s budget proposal to reduce Middle Class Scholarship award coverage and provide associated recommendations.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5127

The 2026-27 Budget: Higher Education Overview [Publication Details]

Feb 5, 2026 - In this brief, we provide an overview and initial analysis of the Governor’s higher education budget plan.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5112

The 2026-27 Budget: California State University

Feb 24, 2026 - (In addition, the California Student Aid Commission budget includes $53 million ongoing General Fund to pay for higher associated Cal Grant costs for CSU students in 2026‑27. Many CSU students with financial need receive full tuition coverage under the Cal Grant program.)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5142