[CA] CCGI FLASH #1:  The California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)

The California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) is an essential statewide program designed to help students from 6th to 12th grade plan for college and careers. This initiative, managed through the platform CaliforniaColleges.edu, provides resources and tools to students, parents, and educators to ensure a smooth transition from K-12 education to higher education.

Here are the main takeaways about CCGI:

What is CCGI?

The California College Guidance Initiative is a key part of the state’s Cradle to Career (C2C) effort. It serves as a foundation for providing guidance to students in their educational and career journey.

Key Points:

• CaliforniaColleges.edu is the official college and career planning platform for 6th–12th grade students in California.
• CCGI is completely free and offers personalized tools to support students in making informed decisions about their futures.
• The initiative helps create a seamless connection between public education and post-secondary institutions, particularly within the California Community Colleges, CSU, and UC systems.

Two Types of Accounts

Students can access different types of accounts based on their grade level and the data provided by their school district.

1. Basic Accounts (for all 6th–12th grade students):

• Access to career assessments, college search tools, and financial aid planning resources.
• A personalized digital portfolio to track academic and career goals.
• Assistance with starting applications for FAFSA and the California Dream Act.

2. Transcript-Informed Partner Accounts (for 9th–12th grade students):

• LEAs provide course and grade data to CCGI to create enhanced accounts for high school students.
• These accounts allow students to track their progress towards meeting the admission requirements for CSU and UC systems.
• Students can verify that their A-G courses meet the required standards and even transfer data into college applications.

Requirements for LEAs

• Public schools serving grades 9–12 must partner with CCGI by January 1, 2026, and provide transcript-informed Partner Accounts by June 30, 2026.
• Schools that already partner with CCGI can share transcript data directly to help students with application processes.

Why CCGI Matters

CCGI is more than just a set of tools—it plays a critical role in closing the college and career guidance gap, particularly for students who may not have access to these resources. By making guidance tools accessible to all students, CCGI ensures that every student in California has the opportunity to succeed in higher education and beyond.

Benefits of CCGI:

• Helps students make informed decisions about their future.
• Streamlines the college application process.
• Provides equal access to essential resources, regardless of a student’s background or resources.

By expanding access to personalized college and career planning, the CCGI helps prepare California’s students for a brighter future.

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