Ann aerial view of Skyline College.
The San Mateo County Community College Districtās Free College initiative that began as a pilot in 2023 and has served more than 35,000 students gain access to higher education was made permanent with the governorās signature June 29.Ā
Senate Bill 968, authored by state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, removed the scheduled 2028 sunset date of the Free College pilot program, which was established by another Becker bill in 2022.Ā
The Free College legislation allows the community college district to use its property tax revenue, and no money from the state, to eliminate tuition and registration fees for San Mateo County residents looking to attend CaƱada College, the College of San Mateo and Skyline College full time.Ā
The initiative has been credited for increasing enrollment and improving student outcomes, according to a press release.Ā
āWe hear from our students every day how free college has changed their lives, and we know this will have generational impacts for years to come,ā Chancellor Melissa Moreno said in the release.Ā Ā
Since launched, enrollment across the campuses has grown 24%, with the largest gains in residents of Half Moon Bay, East Palo Alto and Redwood City. The majority of students benefiting from the program are from historically marginalized communities of color and first generation college students.Ā
The increase in enrollment demonstrates the impact free college has on students, Trustee Lisa Petrides said in the press release.Ā
āFree college combined with other resources available to students ā¦ amplifies the affordability of community college,ā Petrides said. āWe proved that even small costs are a huge barrier to our students.ā
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