The Palomar Promise Grants Free Tuition to SMUSD Graduates

[Photo by Maggie Avants]

San Marcos, CA — Graduates of the San Marcos Unified School District will soon have a major incentive to attend college in their hometown.

Following the creation of The Palomar Promise this week, all eligible SMUSD graduating high school students will receive free tuition for up to two years while pursuing an associate degree, transfer requirements, and/or a certificate program at Palomar College.

The Palomar Community College District Governing Board has approved a memorandum of understanding between Palomar College, the Palomar College Foundation, the San Marcos Unified School District and The San Marcos Promise Foundation, making the The Palomar Promise effective in fall 2017, Palomar College announced in a news release.

"Palomar College has been serving this region for over 70 years and our partnering with San Marcos Unified to provide a free community college education to eligible students sends a strong message to local families that we are united in supporting our community," said Adrian Gonzales, Palomar College Interim Superintendent/President. "We could not be happier to be in a position to offer the financial support that will make a difference for many students and their families."

Students who meet the eligibility requirements will have the unique opportunity to attend college tuition-free and full-time under The Palomar Promise, through which The San Marcos Promise and Palomar College Foundation will grant them tuition assistance up to $600/semester or $1,200/year for up to two consecutive years.

In order to be eligible for The Palomar Promise, SMUSD students must graduate with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and place into transferable math, English and reading, as indicated by Palomar placement test results.

In addition, students will be required to complete the Federal Application for Free Student Aid by the federal deadlines for each school year. To maintain their eligibility, students will also be required to complete the Palomar College Foundation Scholarship Application prior to the deadline each year.

"This is a historic partnership, considering SMUSD will be the first district in North County to establish admission to Palomar College with a guaranteed scholarship provided by The San Marcos Promise and the Palomar College Foundation," said SMUSD Superintendent Kevin Holt. "We are so grateful to Palomar College for providing this opportunity for SMUSD graduates."

The Palomar College Foundation will continue to establish community partnerships and to solicit financial assistance from businesses and individuals to ensure that The Palomar Promise continues to grow throughout the District.

"We are excited to work with San Marcos Unified as our first Palomar Promise partner," said Palomar College Foundation Executive Director Richard Talmo. "It is fitting that we begin the first of many Promises for Palomar collaborating with a K-12 district here in San Marcos where our main campus is located."

Both the Palomar College Foundation, which provides financial support to Palomar College matriculating students, and The San Marcos Promise, which prepares students for an experience in higher education, are ideal organizations to maintain responsibility for an agreement to provide financial support for SMUSD college-bound students, according to the news release.

"The Palomar Promise is the right thing to do," said Herbie Smith, executive director of The San Marcos Promise Foundation. "It’s right for our kids, for business, and for our community. Having affordable pathways to college and career in the comfort of your city makes San Marcos a special place to live."