New Pilot Program Aims to Enhance College Access for Rural California Students
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – January 22, 2026 – The California Community Colleges Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation & Equity, in partnership with Mainstay, is launching a groundbreaking pilot program aimed at assisting rural students in navigating the complexities of the financial aid process. The new initiative leverages human-centered artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify the experience, enabling smoother transitions into higher education.
Introducing Cali: Your Intelligent Financial Aid Coach
The centerpiece of this initiative is Cali, a bilingual digital coach that is available 24/7. Powered by Mainstay’s engagement platform, Cali will be implemented at Butte College, College of the Redwoods, and Lassen College. The AI-driven coach proactively guides students through the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Additionally, Cali helps connect students with essential on-campus resources, ensuring they find support for basic needs and build the confidence required to complete the financial aid process.
Goals of the Pilot Program
This collaboration aims to achieve three critical objectives:
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Increase Enrollment and Retention: By offering support at every stage of the educational process, from application through to completion, the program seeks to enhance student retention rates.
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Expand Institutional Capacity: By automating responses to routine queries, college staff can concentrate on providing personalized, impactful support to students.
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Listen to Student Needs at Scale: The initiative prioritizes gathering student feedback, giving colleges real-time insights that help strengthen equity and foster a sense of belonging.
“Through this pilot, we’re helping rural colleges serve more students with the same resources,” stated Jory Hadsell, Executive in Residence of Strategic Technology Initiatives at the California Community College’s Chancellor’s Office. “By applying human-centered AI, we’re removing barriers for learners.”
The Importance of Technology in Education
Andrew Magliozzi, founder of Mainstay, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “Our collaboration with the Digital Center reflects our shared belief that technology can create more equitable pathways to education when it’s designed with human needs in mind.”
Overview of the Pilot Project
Launched to coincide with the Spring 2026 registration period, the pilot program employs research-backed conversational design. Cali’s proactive guidance aims to help students avoid common errors when completing the FAFSA and CADAA, thus reducing verification rates and keeping them on track for successful enrollment.
Colleges selected for the pilot were chosen for their leadership in serving rural communities and their dedication to innovation. The project will explore how human-centered AI can effectively drive improvements in financial aid completion, first-term persistence rates, and behaviors that promote student belonging.
By analyzing thousands of student interactions, the pilot aims to deliver insights that will assist institutions in understanding what their students need most, thereby informing efforts to close the college access gap in California.
Funding and Support
This groundbreaking pilot program is funded by the College Futures Foundation in collaboration with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), highlighting a commitment to expanding educational opportunities for all.
About the California Community Colleges Digital Center
Established in September 2024, the California Community Colleges Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity represents a strategic effort to support the Vision 2030 agenda for Community Colleges in California. The Digital Center is dedicated to harnessing the power of technology, particularly generative AI, to transform student services.
For further information about the Digital Center, visit the Digital Center website.
About Mainstay
Mainstay is committed to equitable college access through technology. Initially launched as AdmitHub, Mainstay now empowers millions of students with empathetic, AI-driven guidance throughout their educational journey. Learn more about their mission and services on the Mainstay website.
This innovative pilot program illustrates a transformative step towards improving college access for rural students in California, making higher education more attainable for everyone.
