Los Angeles Launches $1,000 Monthly Guaranteed Income for Community College Students in Health Care Careers
- JB Quinnon
- Apr 29
- 2 min read
In a bold step to reduce financial barriers in higher education, the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has launched a pilot program offering guaranteed income to low-income students pursuing careers in healthcare. Known as BOOST — Building Outstanding Opportunities for Students to Thrive — the initiative provides $1,000 per month in unrestricted income for a full year.
Aimed at improving student retention and success rates, BOOST targets students studying for degrees and certifications in high-demand medical fields such as nursing, medical assistance, and other allied health professions. The program selected 251 students through a lottery system, focusing on those enrolled in health-related majors and demonstrating financial need.
What makes BOOST unique is its dual focus: it offers immediate relief to struggling students while also serving as a research project. An additional control group of 370 students was created to measure the program’s effectiveness. The Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania is evaluating the initiative’s long-term impact on students’ academic performance, stress levels, and graduation outcomes.
Funded by over $3.9 million in private donations — including major contributions from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and the California Community Foundation — BOOST is one of the first guaranteed income programs in the nation to focus exclusively on community college students.
Participants like Adriana Orea, a single mother and healthcare student, say the program is already changing lives. “This money means I can focus on my studies, not just on surviving,” she shared. Orea noted that the financial cushion has allowed her to reduce work hours, better care for her child, and build an emergency savings fund.
With healthcare worker shortages still impacting California and the broader U.S., programs like BOOST could play a key role in not only supporting students but also filling critical roles in hospitals and clinics.
If successful, BOOST may become a blueprint for other regions looking to merge social support with education reform — addressing economic inequality while building a stronger healthcare workforce.
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