California has extended the deadline for students to apply for state scholarships by an extra month due to issues with the federal government’s rollout of a simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision aims to mitigate the effects of processing delays and technical problems that have plagued the new FAFSA form, frustrating students, parents, and drawing criticism from lawmakers. Initially set for April 2, the deadline for the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship programs has now been moved to give students more time to complete their applications.

This extension is part of a broader effort to ensure California students can access the financial aid they need for higher education. The state Legislature quickly passed the bill, recognizing the significant impact technical glitches have had, especially on students with undocumented parents who were unable to fill out the FAFSA for months. Despite the U.S. Department of Education addressing some issues, new errors in student aid calculations have emerged, contributing to a substantial decrease in FAFSA applications in California.

With over $2 billion annually awarded through the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship programs, the extension could lead to an additional $100 million in awards for students applying over the next month. This adjustment aligns with actions by California public universities and other institutions nationwide, which have also extended their deadlines for students to accept admission offers due to the backlogged financial aid processing.