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Committee moves SB 761 to notify students of potential CalFresh eligibility at Cal Grant application
Summary
SB 761 would connect students applying for Cal Grants with notifications that they may be eligible for CalFresh, aiming to reduce food insecurity among college students by boosting awareness and application rates.
Senator Ashby (presenting) introduced SB 761, the CalFresh for Students Act, which would streamline outreach by providing a notification to students completing Cal Grant applications that they may be eligible for CalFresh benefits and offering directions on how to apply.
Supporters said many eligible students are not enrolled in CalFresh due to lack of awareness or confusion about eligibility; witnesses cited a University of California survey and California Policy Lab research indicating high levels of student food insecurity and low CalFresh take-up rates among eligible students. Kevin Bibiano of the UC Student Association testified that 48% of UC students experienced some level of food insecurity in a 2024 survey and that only 22% of eligible UC students are enrolled in CalFresh.
Carol Gonzales of the Southern California College Attainment Network added that connecting Cal Grant and CalFresh processes would reduce barriers and better align supports for students pursuing postsecondary education.
The author said she accepted committee amendments; many supporting organizations were on the record, including the California Association of Food Banks, Western Center on Law and Poverty, Community College League of California, University of California, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (representative), Center for Healthy Communities, County Welfare Directors Association, No Kid Hungry, CSU Chancellor's Office and student associations. No opposition witnesses were recorded at the microphone.
Action and next steps: The committee voted to pass SB 761 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Supporters urged coordinated outreach between financial aid offices and county human services agencies to connect eligible students to CalFresh benefits.
The bill does not change CalFresh eligibility rules; it creates a notification pathway at key points in the student financial aid application process to increase awareness and uptake among eligible students.
