AB 888: Student financial aid: immigrants seeking asylum.

Existing law, the Cal Grant Program, establishes the Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards, the Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Awards, the California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards, the Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards, the Cal Grant C Awards, and the Cal Grant T Awards under the administration of the Student Aid Commission, and establishes eligibility requirements for awards under these programs for participating students attending qualifying institutions.

Existing law requires that, in order to be eligible to receive a Cal Grant Program award, a student either be a citizen of the United States or an eligible noncitizen, as defined.

This bill would would, contingent upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for these purposes, also provide eligibility to a noncitizen who has filed a designated application for asylum and has a valid employment authorization document and social security number. The bill would make related findings and declarations.