500 San Jose Public School Kids To Receive Free Tuition at Local Colleges

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA -- About 500 students graduating from San Jose high schools this June will receive scholarships covering tuition, fees, textbooks and transportation costs at San Jose City College or Evergreen Valley College.

At a news conference on Wednesday, March 8, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo along with the presidents of the colleges announced the San Jose Promise Scholarship, paid for by a $1.5 million grant from the California College Promise Innovation Fund.

Half of that grant will go to each college. West Valley College also received a $750,000 grant from the fund, city officials said.

"It'll help the entire community," San Jose Evergreen Community College District chancellor Deborah Budd said. "Together, we can help diversify the workforce of the Silicon Valley."

Currently, only 30 percent of freshmen in San Jose public high schools will go on to earn a college degree or certificate, and it takes them an average of six years to do so, according to Liccardo's office.

In addition to state funding and private donations, the scholarship will be funded with at least $100,000 from the city. The city and community college district are also working to develop partnerships with
corporate donors.

"It's not just about the classroom. It's about partnering with the community," Budd said.

The San Jose Promise scholarship will also fund summer bridge programs for high school graduates who test below the college level in English and math, which is often the case among the low-income, first-generation college students who receive priority for the scholarships.

Two graduates of the pilot program for San Jose Promise spoke at the news conference, crediting the program for their speedy transfers to the University of California, despite their initially basic skills placement.

By Bay City News/Image via Shutterstock