Colleges are eager to get a piece of $115 million that was approved last year for free textbook programs. Chancellor's office officials say applications will be available within the next month.
A bill that would direct similar community college courses across the state to carry the same number to reduce transfer problems faces opposition from faculty groups.
With state funding secure, plans are underway for the first students to enroll in the fall of 2019. The new college will serve the 2.5 million so-called stranded workers who lack a college degree but need skills to advance
Brown said his proposal would help workers who have no other options and won't compete with bricks and mortar schools or the existing community colleges, or UC or CSU.
