California College Access Tax Credit Applications Open: 50% Credit for Donations, Up to $5,000 Grants for Community College Transfers to HBCUs, Deadline January 4, 2027
Sacramento, Sacramento County, California: The California Educational Facilities Authority (CEFA) has opened applications for the College Access Tax Credit Fund for the 2026 taxable year. Individuals, businesses and insurers who contribute to the fund can claim a California tax credit equal to 50% of their contribution. Applications close at 5 p.m. on January 4, 2027. Part of the fund supports California community college students transferring to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with grants of up to $5,000 per student.
The fund is administered by CEFA, which is chaired by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. CEFA may allocate and certify up to $500 million in tax credits for the years 2017 through 2027. The credit is available through taxable year 2027; a contribution cannot be claimed as both a credit and a deduction; and unused credit may be carried over for six years.
A portion of the fund supports the Cal-HBCU Transfer Grant Program, administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). California community college students who have completed the Associate Degree for Transfer pathway, transfer to a regionally accredited partner HBCU and intend to return to California after their studies may receive a grant of up to $5,000.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1400 in September 2023, directing contributions to the fund to support the grant program. According to the State Treasurer's Office, credits allocated by the fund totaled $495,050 for taxable year 2025 and $465,552 for taxable year 2024.
To apply, submit CEFA's online application form. Online payment is temporarily unavailable; applicants may mail a cashier's check, money order or business check (personal checks are not accepted) to College Access Tax Credit Fund, 915 Capitol Mall, Room 440, Sacramento, CA 95814, or pay by wire transfer or ACH. CEFA can be reached at (916) 654-5711; questions about the grant program can be sent to CSAC at [email protected].
Apply here: CEFA page, California State Treasurer's Office
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于萨克拉门托的加州州议会大厦圆顶。Radomianin摄，公共领域，来源：Wikimedia Commons / Photo: The dome of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Photo by Radomianin, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
