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College Access Tax Credit Fund

Designed to provide a tax credit to taxpayers and business who contribute for the benefit of higher education students

College Access Tax Credit Fund

The College Access Tax Credit Fund (Fund) provides a 50% tax credit to taxpayers and businesses who would like to make a contribution to support California Community College transfer students attending partnered Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and who intend to return to California following the completion of their studies through the Cal-HBCU Transfer Grant Program administered through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). The tax credit can be used to offset or reduce taxes.

The California Educational Facilities Authority (CEFA) is required to allocate and certify up to $500 million in College Access Tax Credits for the years 2017 through 2027.
 

Support Students & Save on 2026 Taxes

For Tax Credit Seekers
Application period is open until January 4, 2027, 5 p.m.

Online Payment (temporarily unavailable)

Technical issues have temporarily disabled the Electronic Fund Transaction option.

Payment Options:

  1. Cashier’s (Official) Check, Money Order, or Check from business account (for business entities including insurer’s only). Personal checks will not be accepted.

    Mail payment to:

    College Access Tax Credit Fund
    915 Capitol Mall, Room 440
    Sacramento, CA 95814
     
  2. Electronic Fund Transfer (Wire Transfer or ACH only)

     

CEFA and CSAC Partnership

CEFA, CSAC, and the California Community Colleges Transfer Guarantee to HBCUs partnered to talk about the Cal-HBCU Transfer Grant and the Fund.

Speakers included:

  • Juanita Doplemore, Commissioner, CSAC
  • Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director, CSAC
  • Khaim Morton, Deputy Treasurer, State Treasurer's Office
  • Dr. Keith Curry, President, Compton College
  • Lauren Mills, Partnership Relation Coordinator, CCC Transfer Guarantee Pathway Agreement

Webinar Slides

Tax Credits Allocated

2025 Taxable Year$495,050
2024 Taxable Year$465,552
2023 Taxable Year$793,600
2022 Taxable Year$540,600
2021 Taxable Year$591,708
2020 Taxable Year$479,875
2019 Taxable Year$404,771
2018 Taxable Year$4,977,085
2017 Taxable Year$3,206,604
2016 Taxable Year$5,369,369
2015 Taxable Year$8,231,253
2014 Taxable Year$3,751,393

Application Period

The application period for the 2026 taxable year is open.

The amount of the tax credit based on the percentage of the contribution, will be 50%.

Application Period

Quick Links

Overview

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Fact Sheet

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Statutes and Regulations

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Cal-HBCU Transfer Grant Program

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Eligible Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Annual Updates – Taxable Years

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Sign Up to Receive CEFA Information

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Contact Information

Office

For assistance with tax questions, please go to the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) website or call 800-852-5711.


 

For questions regarding the Cal-HBCU Transfer Grant Program, please go to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website

For assistance with the application or payment of contributions, please contact the California Educational Facilities Authority at (916) 654-5711.

Contact Information

Did You Know?

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1400 in September 2023, which utilizes contributions from the Fund to provide financial support to California Community College students who transfer to a partnered Historically Black Colleges and University and intend to return to the State of California following their studies.

Did You Know?