Governor Signs 2026–27 State Budget Delivering Key Benefits for RCCD

07/16/2026

The Governor has signed the 2026–27 State Budget, reinforcing California’s continued investment in its community college system with targeted funding to expand access, improve infrastructure, and strengthen student success statewide. For the Riverside Community College District, these investments will directly support enrollment growth, equity initiatives, and innovative programs that expand opportunity across the Inland Empire.

A major highlight of the budget is $153.1 million in ongoing funding to support 2.5% enrollment growth over the next two years. This investment will enable RCCD to expand course sections, reduce waitlists, and meet rising student demand across the region. The budget also includes $120.7 million in one-time funding for deferred maintenance which support critical upgrades to aging facilities and helping colleges modernize classrooms, labs, and student spaces. This strengthens RCCD’s ongoing efforts to improve learning environments and ensure safe, high-quality campuses for students and faculty. The budget also provides $36 million one-time and $5 million ongoing for the Common Cloud Data Platform, enhancing data infrastructure across the system. This funding will help RCCD improve student data security, and provide more efficient delivery of student services.

A key win is $35 million one-time and $2 million ongoing for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). This initiative allows students to earn college credit for prior experience, including military training, workforce certifications, and industry experience. Credit for Prior Learning has its roots in a veteran’s education initiative launched at Norco College, where efforts to formally recognize military training as academic credit helped establish a model that has since scaled statewide. What began as a local innovation has evolved into a statewide strategy that reduces time to degree, lowers costs, and expands access for veterans, working adults, and nontraditional learners.

The budget also includes $100 million one-time to expand dual enrollment, this funding will strengthen and scale partnerships with the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) and local K–12 districts, expanding coordinated pathways that allow more students to earn college credit while still in high school. These expanded partnerships will improve college-going rates, increase college readiness, and create smoother transitions into postsecondary education across Riverside County. In addition, $30.1 million ongoing for the Student Equity and Achievement Programs which will continue supporting academic services, counseling, and basic needs programs that help close equity gaps and improve student outcomes.

Together, these investments position RCCD to expand access, modernize systems, and strengthen student success across the region. From enrollment growth and facility improvements to nationally recognized innovations like Credit for Prior Learning and expanded K–12 partnerships through dual enrollment, the 2026–27 State Budget reinforces RCCD’s role as a leader in advancing equity, opportunity, and workforce readiness in California’s community college system.

Published by External Relations & Strategic Communications