Ed. Code, § 69413

(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Associate degree for transfer commitment” means a commitment by an independent institution of higher education that chooses to accept the California Community College associate degree for transfer pursuant to Section 66749.6.

(2) “Independent institution of higher education” has the same meaning as in Section 66010.

(b) Maximum Cal Grant 2 and 4 award amounts for students at independent institutions of higher education and private for-profit postsecondary educational institutions shall be identified in the annual Budget Act. Maximum Cal Grant 2 and 4 award amounts for students attending public institutions and maximum Cal Grant 2 and 4 award amounts at private for-profit institutions shall be referenced in the annual Budget Act.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the maximum tuition award amounts for Cal Grant 2 and 4 students attending independent institutions of higher education for the 2024–25 award year and each award year thereafter shall be as follows:

(1) If the number of new unduplicated transfer students accepted by independent institutions of higher education who have been given associate degree for transfer commitments in the prior award year meets or exceeds the target specified in subdivision (f), nine thousand three hundred fifty-eight dollars ($9,358) for new recipients.

(2) If the number of new unduplicated transfer students accepted by independent institutions of higher education who have been given associate degree for transfer commitments in the prior award year is less than the target specified in subdivision (f), eight thousand fifty-six dollars ($8,056) for new recipients.

(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that independent institutions of higher education make a good faith effort to make the process for transferring from the California Community Colleges easier for resident students and a decision determining the maximum award amounts made pursuant to this section for students attending an independent institution of higher education will be made with consideration of the effort of the institution to make that process easier.

(e) The association representing the largest number of independent institutions of higher education shall submit a report relative to the implementation of this section to the Department of Finance and the Legislature, in conformity with Section 9795 of the Government Code, on or before April 15 of each year following the 2024–25 award year.

(f) (1) For the 2024–25 award year and each award year thereafter, the target number of new unduplicated recipients accepted by independent institutions of higher education who have been given associate degree for transfer commitments shall be equal to the number of new transfer students attending independent institutions of higher education who were given associate degree for transfer commitments in the prior award year, adjusted by the percentage change in the total number of new transfer students from the year two years prior, compared to the prior year.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), it is the intent of the Legislature that the target number of new unduplicated recipients accepted by independent institutions of higher education who have been given associate degree for transfer commitments will increase each year.