The Hire UP pilot program pays students to pursue higher education

California launches Hire UP initiative to support financially disadvantaged students.

By Star Eisenberg, Editor-in-Chief

California’s community colleges have initiated Hire Up, a $30 million pilot program designed to provide compensation to economically vulnerable students. 

Hire UP, approved by the California State Assembly in 2022, prioritizes individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those with past experiences of incarceration, foster care, or recipients of CalWORKs benefits.

“Whether it’s working with the community college system or looking for a career technical education in the community college system, our system is for everyone,” said Rio Hondo’s Vice President of Student Services Dr. Earic Dixon-Peters.  “Wherever you come from, whatever life experiences you have had, it’s never too late to look at multiple ways of improving your circumstances.”

The program addresses students’ financial challenges by offering regular monthly stipends ranging from $4,960 to $9,920 per semester.  These stipends, adjusted according to the student’s course load, are intended to assist with essential expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and childcare costs.

Ten California community college districts have already received funding for the five-year pilot program, with distribution currently underway at institutions like Santa Rosa Junior College and Rio Hondo College.

Rio Hondo College’s Dean of Student Equity and Achievement Cecilia Rocha said in a statement: “This is a unique opportunity for our eligible students to get paid to finish their degree or certificate.  It is an honor to be one of 10 schools in California chosen to lead the way with this program that will have a profound impact on so many.”

Advocates have long called for increased cash assistance for students, leading to legislative reforms such as gradual increases to the Cal Grant program.  Unlike many existing financial aid programs with stringent requirements, such as the Student Success Completion Grant, Hire UP offers more flexibility.  Part-time students taking at least two classes can qualify for monthly disbursements adjusted based on course enrollment.

According to a 2018 report by the Prison Policy Initiative, formerly incarcerated individuals are eight times less likely to complete college compared to the general population.  The National Foster Youth Institute reports that only 2 to 6 percent of former foster youth earn a two-year degree, and 3 to 4 percent earn a four-year degree.  Additionally, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research indicates that over half of student parents leave college without graduating.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that 22.6 percent of undergraduates struggle with food insecurity, while 8 percent experience homelessness.  Furthermore, student parents, individuals with prior incarceration experience, and those formerly in the foster care system are particularly vulnerable to these hardships.

Districts applying for funding must demonstrate their commitment to student success, including staff and resource allocation, partnerships, and engagement with local employers and workforce organizations.

“Valley College and California community colleges offer tremendous opportunities for anyone in California,” said Valley President Barry Gribbons.  “From short-term training to programs facilitating transfer to four-year institutions, there are over a hundred options available.  These opportunities cater to individuals at any stage in life, background, or educational interest.”