Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education. Under existing law, the commission, among other things, administers the Cal Grant Program, the Student Opportunity and Access Program, the Assumption Program of Loans for Education, the Graduate Assumption Program of Loans for Education, the Public Interest Attorney Loan Repayment Program, and the California State Work-Study Program.

This bill would enact the Plan Against College Hunger Act of 2018. The act would establish the Plan Against College Hunger Program under the administration of the commission for the purpose of preventing hunger among students at public postsecondary educational institutions, as defined. The bill would require the commission to provide awards to eligible students equal to the amount of the cost of a meal plan that would cover 10 meals per week, as provided. The bill, notwithstanding any other law, and to the extent permitted by federal law, would prohibit an award received pursuant to these provisions from being considered as income for the purpose of determining eligibility in any state or county administered needs-tested financial aid or public benefit. The bill would make these provisions operative only if funds are specifically appropriated for the purposes of these provisions in the annual Budget Act or another statute.