RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Most community colleges are supporting legislation that Governor Brown signed which provides first-time community college students with free tuition for the first year.

“The number one impediment for community college students is finance,” Michael L. Burke, Ph.D., Riverside Community College District chancellor said. “Anything we can do to help students financially is a step in the right direction.”

Assembly Bill 19 is modeled after community-based College Promise initiatives that have sprouted up in the state and nationally. The model has shown to improve college-going rates and completion of post-secondary degrees. The California College Promise requires students to enroll full-time and for colleges to provide support services that promote successful outcomes.

“The California College Promise compliments what we are already doing in the District,” Burke said.

Story Date: October 25, 2017