California Lawmakers Move to Support Minority-Serving Colleges Amid Federal Cuts

03/12/2026

California lawmakers and higher education leaders are exploring new strategies to support minority-serving institutions (MSIs) following last fall’s federal cuts, when the U.S. Department of Education eliminated hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for these colleges and universities. Riverside Community College District (RCCD) is recognized as an MSI, with each of its colleges certified as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). These reductions have significantly affected the District’s capacity to serve and support its diverse student body.

In February, State Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes and Assembly Member Mike Fong introduced legislation to establish a California Hispanic-Serving Institution designation, as well as a parallel designation for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions. To qualify, public colleges and universities would be required to submit five-year plans outlining goals to improve student success outcomes and describe outreach efforts and support services specifically targeted to these student populations. Institutions earning the designation would need to reapply after five years. California already established a Black-serving institution designation last year, which requires colleges to serve at least 10 percent Black students or a minimum of 1,500 Black students and provide similar documentation demonstrating how they support these students’ success.

Other lawmakers are pursuing alternative approaches to aid MSIs. Last month, Assembly Member Marc Berman introduced a bill granting community colleges with MSI status greater flexibility in using state funds to offset the loss of federal funding, including support for programs previously funded by MSI and TRIO grants. Currently, California’s 50 Percent Law requires community colleges to allocate at least half of their budgets to instructional costs. Berman’s proposal would waive this requirement for colleges using funds to backfill federal funding shortfalls.

Despite these challenges, many college leaders remain hopeful that the state will step in to provide the support necessary to sustain these vital programs. With targeted state support, California’s MSIs like RCCD can continue delivering critical programs, expand opportunities for underrepresented students, and ensure all students have a path to success.

Government Relations will continue to track these bills and share updates as they progress through the legislative process.

Published by External Relations & Strategic Communications