California Indian Nations College (CINC) representatives told the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 they face an immediate funding cliff and asked the Legislature to include at least $7 million in one‑time funding in the 2025–26 state budget to keep the college open.

Student leaders, the college’s superintendent‑president and development director described CINC as a public two‑year tribal college that serves students from over 100 tribes and said the institution received $5 million in the 2022–23 state budget to support accreditation work. CINC reported achieving candidacy accreditation in January and said it is pursuing federal designation and funding — a process that the college said is likely to take at least two years.

CINC representatives told the committee they have no ongoing federal or state funding source yet and said without one additional year of state bridge funding they would be forced to close. "We are a public institution that receives no ongoing federal or state funding. We need at least 1 year of funding to stay open," Janine Jordan, CINC’s director of development, said.

Why it matters: CINC said tribal colleges provide culturally relevant education and higher completion rates for American Indian and Alaska Native students; committee testimony argued that losing CINC would reverse progress and leave California without a federally recognized tribal college or university.

What was requested: CINC asked for a one‑time appropriation of $7,000,000 to sustain operations while it completes the federal funding process. Speakers noted prior state support and described student success stories and workforce and cultural benefits tied to the college.

What was not decided: The subcommittee heard the request during public comment; no appropriation was adopted during the hearing. Members asked for further information and expressed appreciation for CINC’s work but did not commit to specific funding in the meeting.

Ending: CINC’s leaders and students asked the Legislature to preserve the recent investment and to provide a bridge appropriation so the college can continue operating while it seeks federal funding and final accreditation steps.