San Mateo County to Offer Free College For 500 Students

By Astrid Casimire, Bay City News Foundation

San Mateo County officials planned to announce on Monday, April 19, 2021 a program to send 500 students to college for free.

The free college education is funded by a $2 million grant from the County.

David Canepa, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, will hold the conference along with students and officials of the San Mateo County Community College District.

The free college education is available for students who enroll in the district’s Promise Scholars Program, which offers scholarships and support services to first-time, full-time students.

Mario Guzman, a Promise Scholar Program participant who moved from El Salvador to Pacifica five years ago, will attend the press conference. Guzman attends Skyline College and is interested in digital arts and content creation.

Canepa said in a statement that the free college education can restore hope for youth.

“This is a huge investment in our youth who have struggled mightily during the pandemic with many of them seeing their family members lose jobs, battle food insecurity or miss rent payments,” Canepa said.

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