Gov. Newsom announced Thursday that California Community Colleges were successfully approved by the U.S. Department of Education to enable students without a high school diploma — or the equivalent — to access Title IV financial aid.

California Community College’s successful application to participate in the Ability to Benefit program, to ATB, means that the four million Californians without a high school diploma will now qualify to access federal financial aid to attend college classes — increasing opportunity and access to higher education, training, and jobs across the state.

Students participating in the ATB process will also have support for their education goals, and access to counseling and academic support, including math and writing workshops, tutoring services, accessibility services, and more.

“It’s a duty and a privilege for our state to help students and workers access higher education and pursue fulfilling careers — even without a high school diploma. In California, we’re working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential,” said Newsom.

“Our thanks go to Gov. Newsom for partnering on this effort, which represents a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to higher education for all Californians. Our collective efforts aim to create a streamlined and inclusive pathway for individuals seeking to pursue their academic aspirations, regardless of their background or circumstances,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian.

In California, 19 percent of adults over 25 do not have a high school degree, as compared to 14 percent for the rest of the country.

Education is statistically tied to earning potential, and Thursday’s announcement will help ensure that more Californians are able to access higher-paying jobs by taking community college classes without massive debt.

Previously, students without a high school diploma seeking to qualify for an ATB exception had to complete six credits of college classes or pass a qualifying exam to access federal financial aid.

The new state process allows these students to meet a streamlined set of criteria instead, simplifying the process to get more aid to more students.

In August 2023, Gov. Newsom signed the Freedom to Succeed executive order to improve access to high-paying and fulfilling careers for students and workers.

The governor’s executive order launched the development of a new Master Plan for Career Education that will help prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow, including high-paying and fulfilling career paths that don’t require college degrees.

Additionally, the executive order directed the state to take further steps to reduce barriers to state employment — including eliminating requirements for college degrees unnecessary to job duties.

Leaders from California’s education and workforce systems and the California Department of Rehabilitation met last week to discuss the master plan framework and are on track to deliver the master plan by the end of the year.