Tuition Free Bachelor’s Degree Passes Appropriations

For immediate release:

• Jaspreet Johl
• (916) 335-8871
• [email protected]

(Sacramento, CA) - Following the passage of AB 2093 (Santiago) out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday, Author Assembly Member Santiago releases the following statement:

"As a former President of the largest community college district in the nation, and as someone who heavily relied upon financial aid in college myself, I am proud to author AB 2093 to ensure more Californians have the opportunity to access and afford a bachelor's degree," said Assembly Member Santiago

"I am thankful to Assembly Member Wicks for her leadership in passing this bill through her committee. California has made significant investments in need-based financial aid for our community college students, including the California College Promise Program-one of the most extensive aid programs in the nation. However, the number of bachelor's degree earners fell by 2.4 percent, the first drop we have seen in a decade. While we have had many successes in providing a debt-free pathway to a higher education, we still have lots of work to be done. We must ensure that all students have the ability to afford a higher education."

AB 2093 will expand the California Promise Program to enable community colleges to waive enrollment fees for all full time students pursuing a bachelor's degree. This bill will encourage low-income students to pursue higher education without the fear of significant college debt.

AB 2093 will be heard on the Assembly Floor by next week.

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago is the Assistant Assembly Majority Leader. He serves on the Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee, the Health Committee, and the Utilities & Energy Committee. He represents the 54th District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.

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