Finish In Four And Through In Two - General Provisions - CA Education

Section § 67430

This section establishes the official name for a program designed to help students complete their educational pursuits, such as bachelor's degrees in four years or associate degrees in two years. The program is referred to as the 'Finish in Four and Through in Two' program.

This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Finish in Four and Through in Two program.

Finish in Four Through in Two education program degree completion four-year bachelor's two-year associate student success initiative California education time to degree higher education efficiency college programs university graduation rates academic planning degree timeline educational attainment goals

(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 677, Sec. 2. (AB 1205) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 67431

This section defines specific terms used in the context of the California State University system. It explains that an 'academic year of the student's first year of enrollment' is the student's first year at CSU. 'Campus' refers to any campus within the CSU system, and a 'transfer student' is someone who received an associate degree for transfer from a California community college. 'Trustees' are the governing body of CSU.

For purposes of this part, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Academic year of the student’s first year of enrollment” means the first full academic year in which a person is a student at the California State University.

(b) “Campus” means a campus within the California State University system as set forth in Section 89001.

(d) “Trustees” means the Trustees of the California State University.

California State University CSU academic year CSU campus definition transfer student associate degree for transfer California community college transfer CSU trustees first year enrollment higher education terms CSU system definitions of terms education terminology university system governance

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 436, Sec. 1. (SB 412) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Section § 67432

This law establishes a program to help students at California State University graduate on time. It's called the Finish in Four and Through in Two program, aiming to help regular students graduate within four years and transfer students within two years.

The California Promise was established to support California State University students in earning a baccalaureate degree within four academic years of the student’s first year of enrollment or, for transfer students, within two academic years of the student’s first year of enrollment to the campus and is hereby renamed and continued in existence as the Finish in Four and Through in Two program.

California Promise Finish in Four Through in Two baccalaureate degree California State University graduate on time transfer students academic years student enrollment degree completion assistance

(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 677, Sec. 3. (AB 1205) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 67433

The Legislature acknowledges the need for California State University (CSU) to improve four-year graduation rates, which are currently below national averages and have significant economic implications for both students and the state. Key challenges include students' ability to complete required courses on time.

The Legislature emphasizes the importance of new approaches to enhance graduation rates and align them with economic demands. Graduating on time saves students substantial costs and improves workforce opportunities. The CSU's impact extends nationally, with a significant number of graduates in California and the U.S. workforce.

The law advocates for the 'Finish in Four and Through in Two' programs to boost graduation rates for all demographics, particularly low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students. These programs should be included in CSU’s strategic plan to the Legislature and the Department of Finance, focusing on equitable access for diverse campus populations.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) A more concerted, statewide effort to create pathways to four-year graduation is needed at the California State University. For the 2010 cohort of full-time, first-time students at the California State University, 19 percent graduated within four academic years. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the most recent nationally comparable data shows that the California State University’s overall four-year graduation rate was 16 percent in 2011, below the national rate of 26 percent among similar public institutions.

(b) Impediments students face in graduating within four academic years include the inability to complete sufficient units per academic year or take courses that are part of their degree programs.

(c) New approaches are critical for the future of higher education in California. Efforts have been ongoing, though sporadic, to improve postsecondary educational institution enrollment and graduation. These efforts will need to be intensified and made more broadly systemic.

(d) Students who graduate within four academic years save tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to the direct costs of extended college and university enrollment, students miss out on earnings in the workforce while they remain in school.

(e) According to the Public Policy Institute of California, if bold measures are not taken, California will fall short of the state’s economic demand by 1.1 million college and university graduates by 2030. An increased demand for highly educated workers will outweigh the number of qualified applicants for available jobs, which will be exacerbated when scores of highly educated baby boomers retire. The share of workers with a baccalaureate degree will be 33 percent in 2030, below the 38 percent that will be needed.

(f) The impact of graduation rates from California State University campuses is felt not only throughout the state, but also the nation. One out of every 10 California employees is a California State University graduate, while one out of every 20 United States citizens with a college or university degree graduates from a campus of the California State University. These statistics emphasize the national importance of graduation rates at California State University campuses.

(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that the California State University system include the Finish in Four and Through in Two program as a component of the plan submitted to the Legislature and the Department of Finance to increase graduation rates at CSU campuses above those at other institutions and increase graduation rates for low-income students, first-generation students, and students from underrepresented minority groups as quickly as possible.

(h) The Finish in Four and Through in Two programs established at the California State University in accordance with this part should aim to reflect the demographics of their respective campuses and make the benefits provided available on an equitable basis considering the populations attending each campus.

four-year graduation rates California State University Finish in Four program Through in Two program economic implications student savings course completion challenges statewide effort educational pathways graduation rate improvement workforce demand equitable access underrepresented minorities first-generation college students strategic educational planning

(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 677, Sec. 4. (AB 1205) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 67434

This law requires trustees to create and implement the 'Finish in Four and Through in Two' program across California State University campuses. The program aims to help students complete their bachelor's degrees in four years and transfer students in two years. Starting the 2017-18 academic year, specific numbers of campuses must participate, increasing over time. Students must be California residents enrolled full-time and commit to completing a set number of units each year.

Priority registration, academic advisement, and other support, especially for low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation students, are guaranteed. Each campus must also promote the program widely. Trustees will develop guidelines, monitor participation, and recommend incentives, with annual reports on student success and demographics to the Legislature until 2034.

(a) The trustees shall develop and implement a Finish in Four and Through in Two program that complies with this part.

(b) Commencing with the 2017–18 academic year, a minimum of eight campuses shall have established a Finish in Four and Through in Two program by which the campus enters into a pledge with a qualifying student who is enrolled at the campus and who is not a transfer student to support the student in earning a baccalaureate degree within four academic years of the academic year of the student’s first year of enrollment.

(c) Commencing with the 2017–18 academic year, a minimum of 15 campuses shall have established a Finish in Four and Through in Two program by which the campus enters into a pledge with a qualifying transfer student to support the student in earning a baccalaureate degree within two academic years of the student’s first year of enrollment to the campus, as applicable.

(d) Commencing with the 2018–19 academic year, a minimum of 20 campuses shall have established a Finish in Four and Through in Two program by which the campus enters into a pledge with a qualifying transfer student to support the student in earning a baccalaureate degree within two academic years of the student’s first year of enrollment to the campus, as applicable.

(e) To be a qualifying entering student or transfer student at the California State University, a student shall comply with both of the following:

(1) Be a California resident for purposes of in-state tuition eligibility.

(2) Commit to completing at least 30 semester units, or the quarter equivalent, per academic year. Units completed by the student during a summer term may count towards the previous or following academic year as determined by the trustees.

(f) Each Finish in Four and Through in Two program shall be reviewed by a graduation initiative advisory committee of the campus or a committee with similar functions designated by the president of the campus.

(g)

(1) A campus shall guarantee participation in the program to, at a minimum, any student who is any of the following:

(A) A low-income student. For purposes of this section, “low-income student” shall have the same meaning as specified in Section 89295.

(B) A student who has graduated from a high school located in a community that is underrepresented in college attendance.

(D) A transfer student.

(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Finish in Four and Through in Two program at each campus accommodate as many students into the program as feasible and in consideration of available funding.

(h) Support provided by a California State University campus to a student who participates in the Finish in Four and Through in Two program shall include, but not be limited to, both of the following:

(1)

(A) Priority registration in coursework.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph, a student shall not receive priority registration in coursework under the program if the student qualifies for priority registration under another policy or program, as determined by the campus or the office of the Chancellor of the California State University.

(C) A graduation initiative advisory committee of the campus, or a committee with similar functions designated by the president of the campus, shall consider preexisting priority registration policies when implementing this section.

(2) Academic advisement that includes monitoring the student’s academic progress.

(i)

(1) The trustees shall develop application criteria, administrative guidelines, and additional requirements, including how campuses will measure student success, for purposes of implementing and administering the Finish in Four and Through in Two program.

(2) As a condition of continued participation in a Finish in Four and Through in Two program, a student may be required to demonstrate both of the following:

(A) Completion of at least 30 semester units, or the quarter equivalent, in each prior academic year.

(B) Attainment of a grade point average in excess of a standard established by the campus.

(3) In implementing this part, the trustees shall take into consideration the report on graduation rates required pursuant to Item 6610-001-0001 of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 2016.

(j) The trustees shall submit recommendations to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature by March 15, 2017, regarding potential financial incentives that could benefit students who participate in the Finish in Four and Through in Two program.

(k) Each campus participating in the Finish in Four and Through in Two program shall take the following actions to promote the program:

(1) Share information about the program at new student orientation.

(2) Provide information about the program during the online course registration process.

(3) Provide information about the program through an annual email to all students.

(4) Post information about the program in an easily identifiable and accessible place on the campus internet website.

(5) Post information about the program at advising offices.

(l)

(1) The trustees, on or before July 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, shall submit a report to the Legislature that includes all of the following information:

(A) The program participation rate, as a percentage and number of students per campus.

(B) Program participation demographics, including all of the following:

(i) Student race and ethnicity.

(ii) Whether the student is a federal Pell Grant recipient, as available.

(iii) Whether the student is a first-generation college student.

(iv) Whether the student entered as a first-time freshman or transfer student.

(2) The report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(3) This subdivision shall become inoperative on January 1, 2034.

(m) A student who successfully completes an associate degree for transfer at a community college shall be guaranteed participation in the Finish in Four and Through in Two program at the California State University transfer campus, if established.

(n) The trustees shall make every effort to close the achievement gap and encourage broad participation in a Finish in Four and Through in Two program that reflects the demographic populations served by the campus.

Finish in Four Through in Two baccalaureate degree priority registration academic advisement California State University qualifying student transfer student first-generation college student low-income student graduation rates unit completion student success campus participation educational programs

(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 677, Sec. 5. (AB 1205) Effective January 1, 2025.)