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Panel advances bill to expand student services funding eligibility to noncredit colleges serving veterans
Summary
AB 1433 would allow noncredit centers and stand‑alone noncredit colleges to access student-support funding streams currently limited to credit colleges, a change authors say will expand wraparound services for veterans and other adult learners; the committee passed the bill 8-0.
SACRAMENTO — The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs voted 8-0 to pass and refer AB 1433 to the Appropriations Committee. Authored by Assemblymember Dr. Lashay Sharp Collins, the bill would expand eligibility for certain student-support funding to noncredit centers and stand-alone noncredit colleges that serve veterans and other adult learners.
Sharp Collins said noncredit programs provide job training, ESL and adult education that help veterans transition to civilian careers and argued those programs have been excluded from funding that supports advising, mental health services, disability accommodations and tutoring. “Noncredit education provides high quality, cost free training and wraparound services,” she said, and the bill “seeks to correct this injustice.”
Dr. Tina King, president of San Diego College of Continuing Education, testified in support and described noncredit programs as crucial for veterans’ workforce transitions. Kevin Sullivan, a Navy veteran and former service member now enrolled in a welding program, described his experience and said noncredit programs “are lifelines” that should be “easily accessible.” Sullivan said noncredit training helped him move into a new career path without the cost and delay of returning to a four‑year program.
Multiple college representatives and student witnesses from San Diego and other districts registered support. No public witnesses opposed the bill during the hearing. Committee members praised the bill’s focus on workforce alignment and veteran access; the committee approved AB 1433 and will forward it to Appropriations for fiscal review.
Supporters said the change would help institutions such as San Diego College of Continuing Education, North Orange County Community College District programs and others expand wraparound services, improve completion rates and better match local labor market needs. The committee’s action does not appropriate new funds; the Appropriations Committee will evaluate whether and how the state should allocate dollars to expand services to noncredit students.
