Private College Students and Leaders Advocate for State Investments to the Cal Grant Program

Assemblymember Darshana Patel, author of AB 402, advocating with students for increased investments into the Cal Grant program. The bill would increase the Cal Grant award by $350, restoring it to its high water mark of $9,708.

The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) held its 2025 Day in the Capitol student advocacy day at the California State Capitol to advocate for increased state investments to the Cal Grant program through the passage of Assembly Bill 402.

AB 402, introduced by Assemblymember Darshana Patel (D-San Diego), would increase the Cal Grant award amount by $350 and restore it to $9,708, the highest amount it had been before budget cuts. It would also expand the portability of the Cal Grant for community college transfers to use their remaining award at an independent institution. Sixty-six students and campus leaders from 21 AICCU member institutions met with 51 legislators and their staff to share stories of how the Cal Grant was instrumental in their pursuit of higher education.

Giovanny Ramirez, a freshman at California Baptist University (CBU), spoke about his college journey at the open mic held in front of the State Capitol building. When he was about to apply for college, his father had lost his job, and he became uncertain if he would be able to pursue his college aspirations.

“I was pretty sure that I wasn't going to go anywhere.” Ramirez said. “But when I received the Cal Grant, it gave me hope. And I applied to a couple different colleges and I was accepted to CBU. It benefited me because it was really close by.”

Annabelle Torres, a junior at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), is the first in her family to pursue a private college education. In her legislative meetings, she shared how the Cal Grant helps create affordable access for her and others in the Latino community.

“It's very important for me to advocate for younger generations, especially the Latino community, to have private colleges [be] possible for them.” Torres said. “I wanted LMU when I was a freshman in high school. I toured it and I said, ‘This is it.’ The Cal Grant has helped me and the opportunities that I've received through LMU. I have a gateway to Loyola Law School, where I hope to obtain a JD degree”

As outlined in AICCU’s 2025 Impact Report, nearly 25,000 students attending AICCU member institutions receive the Cal Grant award. Forty-one percent are the first in their families to pursue a college degree, and 58% are from historically underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds. Cal Grant funding is crucial in helping more Californians achieve their college and career goals, which is why AICCU is a proud sponsor of AB 402.