California Community Colleges and Mainstay Launch AI Coach for Rural Students

February 11, 2026
The California Community Colleges Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation & Equity and Mainstay have launched a pilot program introducing 'Cali,' an AI-powered bilingual digital coach to help rural students navigate financial aid and college enrollment.

The California Community Colleges Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation & Equity and Mainstay have launched a new pilot program to support rural students in California, announced in a press release. The initiative introduces Cali, a bilingual digital coach available 24/7 that helps students complete financial aid forms and connect with campus resources.

Built on Mainstay’s engagement platform, Cali guides students through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA). The tool is being piloted at Butte College, College of the Redwoods, and Lassen College, aligning with spring 2026 registration.

The project aims to automate routine questions, giving staff more time for personalized student support while collecting feedback to identify student needs. Funded by the College Futures Foundation in partnership with the California Student Aid Commission, the pilot seeks to improve financial aid completion rates, first-term persistence, and overall access for rural learners.

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