Public postsecondary education: priority registration: veterans and dependents of veterans: federal GI Bill

Eligible students may enroll earlier in classes at campuses with priority-registration systems, helping them secure needed courses.

What the law does ​

• Requires the California State University and community college districts to provide priority registration at each campus that operates a priority-enrollment system.
• Requests the University of California to provide the same priority registration.
• Covers students receiving specified veteran-related fee waivers and students using any federal GI Bill benefits.
• Starts in the 2028–29 academic year.

Who it affects ​

• Students receiving fee waivers as qualifying children of disabled, deceased, or service-killed veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, or eligible children of Medal of Honor recipients.
• Students using federal GI Bill benefits.
• California State University campuses, community college districts, and University of California campuses with priority-registration systems.

Context ​

Community college districts may seek state reimbursement if the Commission on State Mandates determines the requirement creates reimbursable state-mandated costs.