Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

LCFF COLA

Information on historical Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) percentages since 2013–14, the inception of LCFF.

The table below provides information on the COLA for current fiscal year (FY) and prior fiscal years. The State Department of Finance (DOF), provides an estimate of the current year COLA as part of the annual budget process External link opens in new window or tab.. The statutory COLA is set as of the May Revision, the May before the budget is enacted. The final funded COLA may differ due to legislative action, or adjustments pursuant to Education Code Section 14002 (commencing with 2019–20 fiscal year).

For historical information on Gap Funding, go to the LCFF Gap Funding web page.

COLA

COLA Estimated COLA
(at Governor's Budget)
Statutory COLA
(at May Revision)
Funded COLA
(at Budget Act)
FY 2026–271 2.41% 2.87% 4.31%
FY 2025–26 2.43% 2.30% 2.30%
FY 2024–25 0.76%

1.07%

1.07%

FY 2023–24 8.13% 8.22% 8.22%
FY 2022–23 5.33% 6.56% 6.56%2
FY 2021–22 1.50% 1.70% 2.70%3
FY 2020–21 2.29% 2.31%4 0.00%
FY 2019–20 3.46% 3.26% 3.26%
FY 2018–195 2.51% 2.71%

2.71%
(Super COLA 3.70%)

FY 2017–18 1.48% 1.56% 1.56%
FY 2016–17 0.47% 0.00% 0.00%
FY 2015–16 1.58% 1.02% 1.02%
FY 2014–15 0.86% 0.85% 0.85%
FY 2013–14 1.65% 1.57% 1.57%

1In addition to the statutory COLA, Assembly Bill 126 (Chapter 65, Statutes of 2026) authorized an additional 1.44% adjustment to the LCFF base grants.

2In addition to statutory COLA, Assembly Bill 181 (Chapter 52, Statutes of 2022) authorized LCFF base grant adjustments effective fiscal year 2022–23. See Funding Rates and Information web page for details.

3Assembly Bill 130 (Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021) authorized a compounded COLA comprised of statutory COLA adjustments attributed to fiscal year 2020–21 (2.31%) and fiscal year 2021–22 (1.70%), and an additional 1% increase in LCFF base grant for an effective increase of 5.07% from 2019–20 to 2021–22 funding levels.

4The 2020–21 May Revision proposed a 10 percent reduction to certain components of the LCFF formula that are also subject to COLA. The 2020–21 Budget Act did not contain the 10 percent reduction.

5The 2018–19 Budget Act authorized a higher COLA, known as "Super COLA”, for school districts and charter schools.

Questions:   Principal Apportionment Section | PASE@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-4541
Last Reviewed: Friday, July 10, 2026
Recently Posted in Allocations & Apportionments
  • CAARO Update Issue #2026-13 (added 03-Sep-2026)
    September 3, 2026: Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office (CAARO) Updates – twice monthly notifications of key reporting deadlines, applications for funding, annual audits, and any other topics related to programs administered by CAARO.
  • CAARO Update Issue #2026-12 (added 31-Aug-2026)
    August 31, 2026: Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office (CAARO) Updates – twice monthly notifications of key reporting deadlines, applications for funding, annual audits, and any other topics related to programs administered by CAARO.
  • Literacy Instruction Professional Development (added 26-Aug-2026)
    Funding for COEs, school districts, charter schools, and state special schools to train certificated and classified staff who provide or support literacy instruction to pupils in transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 5.
  • Literacy Instruction Professional Development FAQs (added 26-Aug-2026)
    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers regarding funding for Literacy Instruction Professional Development.
  • CARS News Flash #83 (added 17-Aug-2026)
    News Flash 83 was sent out on April 27, 2026, announcing the Consolidated Application and Reporting System (CARS) 2026–27 forms opening on May 1, 2026.

  • LtrFinAdj-25: State Special Schools (added 12-Aug-2026)
    Letter for final adjustment to the School District Principal Apportionment for Student Attendance in State Special Schools in fiscal year 2025-26.
  • CAARO Update Issue #2026-11 (added 11-Aug-2026)
    August 10, 2026: Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office (CAARO) Updates – twice monthly notifications of key reporting deadlines, applications for funding, annual audits, and any other topics related to programs administered by CAARO.
  • CAARO Update Issue #2026-10 (added 04-Aug-2026)
    August 3, 2026: Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office (CAARO) Updates – twice monthly notifications of key reporting deadlines, applications for funding, annual audits, and any other topics related to programs administered by CAARO.
  • Res-26: Mandate Block Grant (added 03-Aug-2026)
    Mandate Block Grant program funding results for fiscal year 2026–27.
  • CAARO Update Issue #2026-09 (added 20-Jul-2026)
    July 20, 2026: Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office (CAARO) Updates – twice monthly notifications of key reporting deadlines, applications for funding, annual audits, and any other topics related to programs administered by CAARO.