Community colleges will soon be able to expand access to federal financial aid for adult learners without a high school diploma or equivalency. The Governor’s Office and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) this month announced that California’s Ability to Benefit (ATB) State-Defined Plan has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
CLP and our partner World Ed/JSI worked with Chaffey College, the Chaffey Regional Adult Education Consortium, El Camino College, and Ohlone College to develop an early draft of the plan. Practitioners from Chaffey College played a key role by identifying essential data and developing technical specifications. CLP and World Ed/JSI then worked with the CCCCO and Governor’s Office to finalize the application.
The state’s plan removes barriers to postsecondary education by offering a way for adult learners working toward a high school diploma to access federal financial aid for college classes. Until now, a student without a high school diploma had to either complete six credits of college classes or pass a qualifying exam to access federal aid.
Fortunately, California’s state plan was approved under pre-existing rules rather than under new regulations that took effect in July. This means that community colleges will be able to implement ATB under the California plan for all qualifying students, instead of under the new provision that limits enrollment to only 25 students or 1% of enrollment at each institution, whichever is greater, for a two-year trial period.
CCCCO Implementation Plans
The newly approved ATB plan supports Vision 2030 for the California Community Colleges and the forthcoming Master Plan for Career Education. The CCCCO also intends to align ATB criteria with existing practices that many colleges have put in place through initiatives such as guided pathways and adult dual enrollment.
CCCCO will be convening a community of practice to develop models for ATB implementation and support system-wide expansion. Colleges interested in joining the community of practice should apply by November 1.