SACRAMENTO—Senate Bill 971, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank), today passed the Assembly Higher Education Committee. The measure will make higher education more affordable for low income refugees by exempting them from paying the nonresident tuition fee. The Senator was inspired to author the bill when Glendale Community College students raised tuition funds to help students who were displaced from Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
“Helping young people attain a higher education degree is the sensible and nurturing thing to do and I am grateful to my friends at GCC for bringing this bill idea to me,” stated Senator Portantino. “California and the 25th State Senate District have a strong, recent history of supporting and welcoming immigrants, who have contributed positively to our community.”
Due to a growing number of regional conflicts throughout the world, many individuals seek safe haven through immigration to the United States and establish residency in California. These individuals often turn to education to improve their lives and become full participants in our communities. Ineligibility for financial aid can make the cost of college disproportionately higher and unaffordable.
“Glendale Community College is proud to sponsor SB 971 – a measure that will bring much needed support to those escaping hardship and seeks educational opportunities. Seeing an influx of those impacted by regional conflicts, this bill supports the full integration of refugee students into our community as well as our local economy,” stated Dr. Sevan Benlian, Board President of Glendale Community College.
SB 971 would exempt from the nonresident tuition fee a nonresident, low-income student who is a resident of a region impacted by war or other regional conflict and registers for lower division courses at Glendale Community College or two other community colleges selected by the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges. The measure requires the governing boards of community colleges that choose to use this exemption to adopt one uniform policy to determine a student’s residence classification, establish procedures for an appeal and review of the residence classification, and determine whether a student is low income.
“Our mission includes fostering a strong community bond and supporting every student with an educational environment where they can take the next steps toward their future endeavors,” said Dr. Ryan Cornner, Superintendent/President of Glendale Community College. “Glendale has a history supporting recent immigrant communities who have become integral parts of our community. This legislation will allow us to more effectively meet the needs of our community and ensure that we fulfill our mission.”
A large number of Armenians were displaced from Artsakh, which totaled more than 100,000 individuals, even prior to the escalations in the conflict in 2023. California is home to a large diaspora of Armenian people and will continue to see the immigration of individuals seeking safety. Similar displacements have been seen in Ukraine.
“SB 971 will provide equitable educational opportunities for refugee students affected by global conflicts,” stated Amaras Issagholian, President of the Armenian Students Association of Glendale Community College. “This bill underscores our commitment to inclusivity and acknowledges the hardships that refugees students face when escaping from violence. We are proud to support Senator Portantino’s bill, which helps build a brighter future for those who seek refuge.”