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California colleges must explain cost of attendance and allow adjustments

Published on November 13, 2026

California Assembly Bill 2251 requires colleges that take part in the Cal Grant program to publish how they calculate cost of attendance and to let students ask for adjustments. Each institution must have the policy in place no later than the start of the 2027-28 academic year.1

What must be published. Each institution must display the data sources and assumptions behind every part of its cost of attendance budget on its website.1

What may be adjusted. Institutions must allow adjustment requests for any expense category, including housing, food, transportation, books and supplies, and dependent care. Required circumstances include housing and utility costs above the allowance, the cost of a computer, uninsured medical, dental or optical costs, car expenses, dependent care and disability-related expenses.1

Rules for requests. Institutions must accept electronic or paper requests. An institution may not set a deadline earlier than three weeks before the end of a term and may not limit the number of requests a student submits. An approved adjustment may result in grant aid or loans.1

Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

Footnotes

  1. California Legislative Information, AB 2251 (chaptered), amending Education Code Section 69432.7, subdivision (l), paragraph (5). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  1. 2027-28 FAFSA opened Sept. 23, 2026, the earliest launch in program history, October 28, 2026.
  2. Michigan opens third round of Universal FAFSA Challenge, October 27, 2026.
  3. FAFSA form opens early for 2027-2028 school year, September 27, 2026.