Making It In San Diego: What you need to know about free tuition at San Diego community colleges

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- A new program that offers free tuition to several of San Diego’s community colleges for graduating high school students is creating buzz.

The program, known as San Diego Promise, coupled with a statewide program, offers free tuition to graduating high school seniors.

The program offers two years of tuition to San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College and Miramar College for qualifying students.

San Diego Promise had humble beginnings, but has since grown substantially. According to the San Diego Community College District, when the program started in 2016, 186 students were part of the pilot program. The next year, nearly 700 students were included in the program.

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Heading into the fall of 2018, the scholarship program will pay for up to 3,500 students. San Diego Promise will be paired with State Assembly Bill 19, which pays for one year of community college for all California students. The Promise San Diego program will pay for the second year.

To be eligible for the program, students must be California residents or have attended a California high school for three years. Students must also graduate from a California high school and have graduated within the last year.

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Check out the list below to see how the requirements for the program:

• Attend an on-campus Promise orientation
• Enroll in at least 12 units each semester (fall and spring)
• Enroll in a College Success Course (PG 120 or PG 130) in the Fall semester
• Meet with a counselor each semester
• Complete a comprehensive education plan by the end of the first year
• Maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average

Below is a list of steps to apply for the program. Click here for more information and to apply.

1. Complete a Promise interest form for your college.
2. Complete a fall 2018 admission application for either City, Mesa or Miramar College and a 2018-2019 financial aid form or dream act application.
3. Complete an online orientation, English and math assessment and meet with a college counselor for an abbreviated education plan by June 30 to qualify for priority registration.
4. Attend an on-campus Promise Orientation.
5. Register for classes listed on education plan.
6. Sign Promise contract and submit to Promise coordinator by August 3.