Students with dependents at California’s public universities will soon have more access to child care information and financial support under a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday.
The bill strengthens on-campus support for students raising children. Starting in January 2026, campuses must connect parenting students with local child care resources and referral agencies to ensure they are informed of all financial aid options that can help pay for care.
According to a 2024 report from the American Council on Education 3.1 million or 20% of undergraduates in the United States are Parenting Students.
There are 170 students with dependents in Cal Poly’s total population, making up less than 1% of Cal Poly’s undergraduate, graduate and post baccalaureate population, according to research supported by Cal Poly’s Institutional Research department and overseen by the Students with Dependents Advisory Board.
This small percentage has previously made it more difficult for the university to provide direct support to the community, Associate Professor Tina Cheuk said, as previously reported by Mustang News.
The law aims to make it easier for student parents to stay enrolled and graduate by treating child care as a basic need, similar to housing or food assistance.
For Cal Poly students, that could mean more direct referrals to licensed child care providers in San Luis Obispo County and better communication about funding programs available through state and federal aid.
The bill received unanimous bipartisan support and was sponsored by Early Edge California, The Cal State Student Association, the University of California Student Association, and the Student Senate for the California Community Colleges. Additionally, it was a part of the Women’s Caucus 2025 priority package.
“This policy will help reimagine what it means to support student parents with young children on college campuses,” Patricia Lozano, executive director of Early Edge California said in a press release. “When campuses provide parents with information about local child care options and all available financial assistance, they remove barriers and ease the load for student parents.”
Student leaders from across California public colleges said the legislation recognizes the challenges student parents face in balancing academics and family life.
“Access to affordable, reliable childcare is a basic need. It’s a basic need that our student parents rely on to achieve their academic and career goals.” Tara Al-Rehani, President of Cal State Student Association said in the release. “This bill recognizes their reality by taking meaningful and intentional steps to ensure that students with dependents can stay enrolled, graduate, and build a better future for themselves and their families.”
Senate Bill 271, authored by Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton), affects California’s three public higher education systems. The California State Universities, the Universities of California, and California Community Colleges.
“The Student Senate for California Community Colleges celebrates the signing of SB 271, a critical step toward a more inclusive and supportive higher education system,” Jerry Reyes, president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, said. “Student parents deserve to be seen, supported, and given every opportunity to succeed.”
Once implemented, the law will require each campus to expand outreach and coordination with nearby child care agencies, potentially streamlining how parenting students at Cal Poly and California public colleges find and afford care.