San Mateo County Community College District extends free amenities for students

More than $20 million is set aside specifically to fund the district’s free college initiative, the zero cost textbook program, and waiving health service fees and parking permits, aligning with the district’s continued efforts to make access to higher education actually free, Storti said. 

Additionally, $1.29 million is dedicated to the district’s Promise Scholars Program, which provides financial, academic and personalized student services to program participants whose goal is to earn an associate’s degree or certificate, according to a staff report. 

In addition to financial support for academics and associated school fees, the community college district is also developing student housing at its campuses. Currently, the district is focused on plans for a student housing facility at College of San Mateo, with a hopeful move-in date of July 2027. 

The budget currently is accounting for $56 million in funding from the state, and $10 million from the district to construct the housing. There’s an anticipated shortfall of around $20 million due to inflated costs of construction, which the district hopes the state will fund. However, reserves have been set aside by the district that will fill this gap if necessary, Storti said. 

Board Trustee John Pimentel noted that the district’s efforts to maintain appropriate reserves on standby for the housing project will keep the development moving along. 

For the district's capital improvement program, it is looking at the possibility of private financing for specific projects and may look toward asking voters for a general obligation bond for facilities upgrade, according to a staff report. 

The long-term goal is to develop an ongoing funding stream to self-fund the needed improvements. All unspent site allocations will be restricted to specifically fund future capital improvements. Beginning 2026-27, the district’s resource allocation model will allocate property taxes above $100 million as “excess” for capital funds. 

Another notable capital project underway is the design and permitting of the facility to house a full-day preschool program at Cañada College. Construction is set to begin in December, and will be operating by next fall.