Many college students in the United States struggle to pay for their education. College tuition can be
quite expensive, and not many are able to afford it. According to an article from CollegeCalc.org about the most
expensive and cheapest states to attend college, California ranked No. 23. The average college tuition cost per year in
California during 2017 and 2018 was around $13,947.

We all have the right to attend college. Many students dream about attending their dream school right after high
school, but not many are able to go because they don’t have enough resources. When it comes to receiving education
and getting a degree, money should not be holding us back. Although there are many scholarships and financial aid that students can receive, these don’t always cover full tuition.

At Grossmont College students have to pay $46 per unit, and the non-resident enrollment fee is $258— along with all the other extra fees such as parking, books, health fee, etc. Fortunately, last year the governing boards of two East
County high schools and the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District partnered up and promised
high school students a full year of free tuition. The Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Promise began fall semester of 2018 and is only for first time college students who are attending college full-time.

This promise will benefit many students who come from low-income families, and it will help future college students
achieve their dreams of getting a degree, a better future and better opportunities. Keep in mind that in order for students to receive this promise, they must:

• Be first time college students.

• Sign the Promise Pledge.

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Act application.

• Complete the college onboarding process. This includes application, orientation, assessment and developing an
education plan.

• Register as a full-time student (at least 12 credit units per semester) at Grossmont or Cuyamaca colleges.

• Maintain a 2.0 grade point average in the Fall semester of college to be eligible for the Spring. We all likely know someone who is a high school senior, whether it is a family member or a friend. Make sure you tell them about this great opportunity the district is offering, because it will change their future and most importantly, it
will help them achieve their goals.