California's 2026-27 state budget has been a mixed bag for higher education, with both wins and losses for public colleges and universities. While the UC and Cal State systems received substantial increases in funding, the state's commitment to public K-12 schools and community colleges remains strong, constitutionally guaranteed. The budget also ensures the continued funding of the Cal Grant, a popular financial aid program for students. However, the Middle Class Scholarship, a smaller aid program, has seen a decrease in funding, which may impact students' financial stability. Bond measures, such as a proposed $12 billion bond for science research and a facilities bond, faced challenges and were not included in the final budget. Despite these setbacks, the state's investment in higher education, particularly for students, is a positive step forward.
