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A pilot program in Los Angeles provides monthly cash payments of $1,000 to community college students studying healthcare fields as part of an effort to combat California's nursing shortage and improve graduation rates.
The L.A. Community College District launched the Building Outstanding Opportunities for Students to Thrive program, called BOOST, which gives 251 students monthly stipends for 12 months. The program focuses on students pursuing health care and psychology degrees at four district campuses.
Nursing programs within the L.A. Community College District experiences some of the state's highest dropout rates. The district serves about 250,000 students, with roughly half reporting household incomes below the poverty line, according to Kelly King, chief advancement officer for the district and executive director of the foundation overseeing BOOST
Students can use the funds for any purpose without academic performance requirements or enrollment restrictions, King said. Recipients may use their funds to purchase childcare supplies, food, vehicle maintenance, or to reduce debt.
The program operates at East L.A. College, L.A. Southwest College, L.A. City College and L.A. Trade-Tech College. Researchers track outcomes by comparing the 251 payment recipients with 370 similar students who do not receive funds.
The monthly amounts will not cover full living expenses in L.A. County, but they aim to ease financial pressures on students. Such programs help recipients lower stress, eat more regular meals, and develop the ability to create financial plans or reduce their debt.
Amy Castro, who leads research on the BOOST study, said students pursue college education for broader reasons than career preparation. Castro reported that participants described wanting to earn degrees for personal fulfillment and family pride rather than solely for job training.
King described the program as an unprecedented randomized study in higher education at this scale. Researchers can measure how guaranteed income affects progress toward specific career goals because all participants aim to work in health fields.
Survey data indicate that more than two-thirds of approximately 67,000 California community college students face challenges in meeting their basic living needs, according to 2023 research. Few guaranteed income programs specifically serve community college populations, though California operates several related initiatives.
One Santa Clara program provides $1,200 monthly for two years to unhoused young people between 16 and 20 years old. The Hire UP program began distributing monthly payments in March 2024 to former foster children, previously incarcerated individuals, and welfare recipients across 10 California community colleges.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania examined a New Mexico program that gave community college students $400 monthly for one year. That study found participants were more likely to have jobs at the program's conclusion, felt more prepared for unexpected expenses, and spent additional time with their families.
Community college students in expensive areas, such as L.A. County, often face higher education costs than those attending University of California or California State University campuses, King said. Community college students receive less state financial aid than university students despite college expenses having increased dramatically over the past few years.
Private funding totaling nearly $4 million supports the BOOST pilot program. The Broad Foundation provided approximately $3.2 million, while the L.A. Community College Foundation contributed roughly $870,000 through its Young Adults Forward Fund.
Following the January 2025 wildfires, the foundation adapted BOOST principles for disaster response. The foundation will distribute $1,000 monthly for one year to 24 students who have lost their homes or faced major hardships due to the fires. Private donors contributed more than $3 million for wildfire relief programs at L.A., Glendale, and Pasadena community colleges.
Such incentives allow researchers to observe how guaranteed income affects students during periods when they may not attend classes due to personal circumstances, scheduling conflicts, or academic breaks. The program enables researchers to study the effects of guaranteed income while students maintain long-term healthcare career objectives, even during educational interruptions.
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