Free college may become permanent in San Mateo County

Students enrolled in the district’s Free College are three times more likely to complete their educational goals and graduate than their comparable peers, Aaron McVean, vice chancellor of Educational Services and Planning. 

“The impact has been tremendous across all the communities that we serve in this district,” McVean said. 

The district has three campuses, Cañada College in Redwood City, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College in San Bruno. The Free College pilot program was made possible by the authorization of Senate Bill 893, authored by state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park. On Tuesday evening, Becker announced he will introduce a bill to make the same initiative permanent during the legislative session beginning January. 

“I’m deeply committed to this program and the students who depend on it,” Becker said. 

District Trustee John Pimentel, a key proponent for free community college, said the program was made possible because the community throughout the county came together. 

The district covers the costs that are waived for qualified students, which Moreno described as a necessary investment. For the 2025-26 school year, the Board of Trustees approved allocating $12.5 million for the Free College expenses. 

“It’s a mission-driven budget line item,” Moreno said. “It’s a decision the Board of Trustees made to align the budget with the mission.” 

The ability for the district to cover the costs of the program is a critical aspect of the potential authorization of Becker’s bill to make it permanent, the state senator said. 

Free College has resulted in a 24% increase in enrollment in the two years it’s been implemented. About 70% of students are supported by Free College, and more than half of those students are first generation students, Moreno said. 

“That modest $46 a unit is actually very much a barrier for our students,” Moreno said. “This has moved the needle more than any other equity initiative that we have tried to get our first generation students coming into the college system in our impacted surrounding communities.” 

The return on investment for students is abundant as well, Skyline President Nate Carter said. 

“It’s one of the single most powerful, effective tools for economic mobility in our region, that’s unquestionable,” Carter said. “It allows families and all walks of life to access higher education in a life transforming way.” 

CSM President Manuel Alejandro Perez described Free College as a “social justice resource.” 

During the town hall, Moreno also announced the district has officially secured $56 million in state funding to develop districtwide student housing on the College of San Mateo campus. At the district’s Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, trustees are slated to approve a contract to break ground on 314 beds in the spring, Moreno said. 

Reflecting on his time as a trustee on the board, Pimentel said working on the Free College initiative makes him the most proud. He hopes the state will yet again authorize Becker’s bill in the new year, and eventually expand the program beyond San Mateo County. 

“At the end of the day, free community college, I believe, is the most effective, efficient investment that government can make in achieving social equity,” Pimentel said.