State Sen. Josh Becker introduced a bill last Monday that could allow students in the San Mateo County Community College District to attend college tuition-free.
Senate Bill 893, co-authored with Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, D-San Mateo, and Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto, would allow the district to charge students less than the $46 per unit tuition rate currently required by the state.
The bill would also allow the district to waive or cover registration fees using local revenues.
Becker stressed that increasing access to higher education is life-changing, as it helps ensure economic mobility for county residents.
District Chancellor Michael Claire stressed that the bill would help the district leverage its resources to help students.
"Our district has the resources to do more for more, if we had the authority to do so," Claire pointed out.
Currently, the district's Promise Scholars Program provides financial assistance to help cover the cost of food, transportation, tuition, supplies and other college fees. The program also provides personalized professional development and academic advising.
Khalid Shatrat, fall 2019 promising scholar at the College of San Mateo, said the biggest benefit of the program is that the first two years of education would be free.
"Books are covered, tuition is covered. And, really, regardless of your goal, just getting a quality education from a school like CSM, without having to pay anything for it, is a really amazing thing," said Shatrat, who earned an Associate of Science degree in Accounting.
If Senate Bill 893 passes, the district could expand the Promise Scholars Program and help the 6,000 students eligible for the program.
Right now, the district can only help 2,000 of those students, according to a press release from Becker's office.
The bill would also require the district board to establish eligibility requirements for the reduced rates and provide a statement showing how the rate changes would financially affect the district.
John Pimentel, a district board member, explained that the cost of tuition is a barrier for working adults who cannot afford those rates.
"All county residents should be able to complete college or a technical degree affordably, which is the most effective and lasting tool to promote social equity," he said.
"We don't need to wait for federal or state funding because San Mateo County has been blessed with strong property values and stable funding for the San Mateo County Community College District," he added.
To move forward, the bill must pass the Senate policy committees and make a fiscal review if necessary, then must be approved by the Senate by May 27 to proceed to the floor.
Founded in 1922, the district's three colleges enroll about 45,000 students a year, according to its website. The colleges are located in Redwood City, San Bruno and San Mateo.
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