First-time students at Las Positas College will have an opportunity for tuition-free enrollment starting in the upcoming academic year, with a program adopted by Chabot College several years ago being expanded to include its sister school in Livermore.

The California Promise Program will be available in the 2023-24 academic year for the first time at Las Positas College, in an effort to bolster collaboration between the two colleges and promote accessibility and awareness around financial aid opportunities more broadly.

“Both colleges are working together as sister colleges to make a greater push to promote the availability of financial assistance to encourage more students, who might otherwise feel that a college education is not within reach, to register for classes,” said Dionicia Ramos, director of public relations for the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.

“This is an opportunity to get the message out broadly that both colleges offer a high-quality education at a cost that allows all students to enroll, regardless of socioeconomic status,” she continued.

The California Promise program was launched in the 2018-19 academic year, providing incentives via state funding for districts to waive tuition and enrollment fees for first-time college students enrolled in 12 credits or more who have established California residency or qualify for a nonresident fee waiver. There are no income requirements or restrictions.

While colleges also have the option of using the funds for other means of supporting students, Chabot College has elected for the tuition-free option since adopting the program in its inaugural year, with the district now expanding the same program to Las Positas.

The tuition waiver is aimed at enabling students pursuing a four-year degree to reduce their costs by receiving the first two years of their education for free, and to incentivize students who might not otherwise pursue higher education to complete two year degree or certificate programs.

Ramos emphasized that while the California Promise Program is limited to certain students, returning students, part-time students and others who don’t meet the program’s requirements have a range of financial aid options available that many aren’t aware of.

“The importance of promoting free tuition is that it is an opening to a conversation with students that may not have considered applying for college or for aid,” Ramos said.

All students interested in enrolling for the upcoming academic year are encouraged to complete the Federal Application for Student Aid by Aug. 1.

“The tuition-free programs at Chabot College and Las Positas College are critical to our mission of providing educational opportunities and support services that reduce income inequality and help our communities achieve social and economic mobility,” CLPCCD Chancellor Ronald P. Gerhard said in an announcement last week.