Formed in 2015, College for All Coalition (CFAC) is a statewide, multiracial coalition of community, civil rights, education, faith, and labor organizations that are committed to advancing educational equity and success for low income, underserved, and underrepresented students. Through multi-racial coalition building and legislative policy-making, the coalition promotes and advocates for full access, full investment, and full equity in public and higher education to benefit all California students.
As of January 2025, ABC is now the leading organization for CFAC. For nearly a decade, the coalition was led by Asian Americans for Advancing Justice–SoCal and we are deeply grateful for their leadership and the policy victories achieved throughout the years. The dedication from all Coalition members has laid the groundwork for continued advocacy to ensure that all students—regardless of background—have access to higher education opportunities.
As we look ahead, CFAC remains steadfast in its mission to break down systemic barriers in education and push for policies that create lasting change. Coalition members have built a strong foundation over the past decade, and we are committed to continuing the fight for equitable access, investment, and opportunities in higher education.
Our collective efforts have already led to key victories that have shaped California’s educational landscape.
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Explore our timeline below to learn more about the key milestones that have shaped our advocacy.
2015 Developed the Local Control Funding Formula-Plus (LCFF+) concept to promote equity and diversity in college access and success and support a pathway from K-12 to California’s public universities.
2015 Developed the Local Control Funding Formula-Plus (LCFF+) concept to promote equity and diversity in college access and success and support a pathway from K-12 to California’s public universities.
2016 SB 1050 enacted in California’s state budget along with SB 828 and AB 1602, achieving 200M College Readiness Block Grant (CRBG) to improve A-G, AP courses, and counseling, $18.5M for 2,500 additional UC enrollment slots (2017-2018), Improved UC access for students from LCFF+ schools, and $20M for UC outreach and support services for low-income and underrepresented students.
2016 SB 1050 enacted in California’s state budget along with SB 828 and AB 1602, achieving 200M College Readiness Block Grant (CRBG) to improve A-G, AP courses, and counseling, $18.5M for 2,500 additional UC enrollment slots (2017-2018), Improved UC access for students from LCFF+ schools, and $20M for UC outreach and support services for low-income and underrepresented students.
2017 The College for All Coalition co-sponsored AB 699 (O’Donnell), which strengthened protections for immigrant students in California’s public schools. The bill required schools to adopt policies limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement, ensured students’ rights to a safe learning environment regardless of immigration status, and mandated training for educators on handling immigration-related issues. This legislation reinforced California’s commitment to protecting vulnerable students amid increasing federal immigration enforcement efforts.
2017 The College for All Coalition co-sponsored AB 699 (O’Donnell), which strengthened protections for immigrant students in California’s public schools. The bill required schools to adopt policies limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement, ensured students’ rights to a safe learning environment regardless of immigration status, and mandated training for educators on handling immigration-related issues. This legislation reinforced California’s commitment to protecting vulnerable students amid increasing federal immigration enforcement efforts.
2019 In 2019, the College for All Coalition focused on budget advocacy, urging policymakers to prioritize long-term investments in college access and preparation. While the coalition welcomed expanded UC enrollment and $6 million for high school outreach, it expressed disappointment over the exclusion of the $242 million College Readiness Block Grant from the final budget. The coalition emphasized the need for sustained funding for college readiness programs and committed to continued advocacy for equitable higher education investments in 2020.
2019 In 2019, the College for All Coalition focused on budget advocacy, urging policymakers to prioritize long-term investments in college access and preparation. While the coalition welcomed expanded UC enrollment and $6 million for high school outreach, it expressed disappointment over the exclusion of the $242 million College Readiness Block Grant from the final budget. The coalition emphasized the need for sustained funding for college readiness programs and committed to continued advocacy for equitable higher education investments in 2020.
2021 The College for All Coalition successfully advocated for a $547.5 million state budget allocation to expand access to A-G courses required for admission to California’s public universities. The funding, championed by Senator Connie Leyva initially introduced through SB 309, aimed to close equity gaps by supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including foster youth and English learners, through the College Access for All Act and A-G Course Learning Recovery Supports. These grants provided targeted resources to school districts with low A-G completion rates to help students stay on track for higher education.
2021 The College for All Coalition successfully advocated for a $547.5 million state budget allocation to expand access to A-G courses required for admission to California’s public universities. The funding, championed by Senator Connie Leyva initially introduced through SB 309, aimed to close equity gaps by supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including foster youth and English learners, through the College Access for All Act and A-G Course Learning Recovery Supports. These grants provided targeted resources to school districts with low A-G completion rates to help students stay on track for higher education.
2022 The College for All Coalition prioritized advocating for budget investments that promote equity and access in higher education. The coalition urged state leaders to allocate funding for student support programs, including $22.5 million for UC and CSU outreach initiatives, $5 million for undocumented student services, and $315 million to streamline the Cal Grant system. These efforts aimed to close equity gaps and ensure greater opportunities for underrepresented students in California’s higher education system.
2022 The College for All Coalition prioritized advocating for budget investments that promote equity and access in higher education. The coalition urged state leaders to allocate funding for student support programs, including $22.5 million for UC and CSU outreach initiatives, $5 million for undocumented student services, and $315 million to streamline the Cal Grant system. These efforts aimed to close equity gaps and ensure greater opportunities for underrepresented students in California’s higher education system.
2023 The College for All Coalition returned to Sacramento for its first in-person Advocacy Day since 2019. Students, educators, and community leaders united to advocate for key policies, including improving food security for students, streamlining transfer processes, and limiting willful defiance suspensions. The event provided a powerful platform for students to engage in policymaking, build confidence in their advocacy skills, and witness the impact of their voices in shaping education policy.
2023 The College for All Coalition returned to Sacramento for its first in-person Advocacy Day since 2019. Students, educators, and community leaders united to advocate for key policies, including improving food security for students, streamlining transfer processes, and limiting willful defiance suspensions. The event provided a powerful platform for students to engage in policymaking, build confidence in their advocacy skills, and witness the impact of their voices in shaping education policy.
2024 Co-sponsored AB 1780 (Ting): Banning Legacy Admissions at Private Institutions. Empowered underrepresented students with equitable access to college opportunities ultimately passed and signed by Governor Newsom.
2024 Co-sponsored AB 1780 (Ting): Banning Legacy Admissions at Private Institutions. Empowered underrepresented students with equitable access to college opportunities ultimately passed and signed by Governor Newsom.
Development of the LCFF+ Concept
In early 2015, CFAC worked on a concept called Local Control Funding Formula Plus (LCFF+), conceived by UCLA Professor John Rogers, to build on the Local Control Funding Formula and extend it to public higher education. The LCFF+ concept was grounded in a commitment to promoting a pipeline of educational opportunity and success for the state’s most vulnerable students (low-income, English language learners and foster youth) from K-12 through graduation from California’s four-year public universities and to increasing equity and racial/ethnic diversity in college access and attainment. The Coalition advocated for the LCFF+ concept throughout 2015 until finally introducing LCFF+ legislation, SB 1050.
The Passage of SB 1050
CFAC partners worked to develop, introduce, and actively support the passage of SB 1050, which was effectively enacted into law in the California state budget, and two education trailer bills, SB 828 and AB 1602, in June 2016. This landmark legislation has helped to level the playing field and expand educational opportunity in California, particularly for LCFF+ schools, by:
1) establishing a $200 million K-12 College Readiness Block Grant to increase the college readiness and eligibility of California public high school students, especially those who are low-income, English learners, and foster youth 2) expanding University of California (UC) enrollment slots by 2,500 slots for the 2017-2018 school year 3) requiring the UC (system-wide and at each UC campus) to develop a plan and timeline to admit and enroll more California resident students from LCFF+ schools (93% of whom are students of color) 4) promoting student success and graduation by allocating $20 million for UC student support services for low-income and underrepresented students.
Continued Victories
In 2017, the coalition co-sponsored AB 699, ensuring public schools remain safe spaces for immigrant students. By 2019, our budget advocacy helped shape investments in UC enrollment and outreach for underrepresented students. In 2021, we successfully secured $547.5 million to expand access to A-G courses, and in 2022, we continued advocating for critical budget investments, including increased funding for undocumented student programs and financial aid reforms. Most recently, in 2024, our coalition played a key role in the passage of AB 1780, prohibiting legacy admissions at private universities, marking a significant step toward equitable college access.
These victories reflect the coalition’s long-standing commitment to ensuring all students—regardless of background—have the support and opportunities to pursue higher education.
What Comes Next
CFAC has been a vehicle of advocacy for college access and attainment, and racial/ethnic equity in education, and its impact has been widely and deeply felt among our communities for many years. As we look towards the future, we know the work of CFAC will become even more crucial.
