State lawmakers have extended a pilot program that mostly eliminates fees for students in the San Mateo Community College District, aiming to continue expanding access to higher education in the region.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 968, authored by Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, on June 29. The bill removed a 2028 sunset date for the program known as “Free College,” permanently allowing the district to waive tuition and enrollment fees for students living in the county and offer additional waivers to other qualifying students.
Since the Free College program launched in 2022, the district has seen a 24% increase in enrollment and triple the completion rate for two-year degrees, according to a program progress report published February 2026. More than 33,500 students were supported by the program from 2022 to 2025.
SMCCCD Trustee John Pimentel was a staunch advocate for the program at its inception and said the pilot program’s results, especially the enrollment jump, were “remarkable.”
“We’re most excited by the permanent nature of the program because it allows families to plan on a path to higher education that’s significantly more affordable and more achievable for working families,” Pimentel said.
There are three colleges in the district — Cañada College, Skyline College and College of San Mateo. Tuition is $46 per unit per semester, on top of other expenses, including transportation and the cost of books and supplies.
Becker introduced the bill following the report’s publication, calling the program a “resounding success” in a press release. The bill was co-authored by assembly members Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, and Diane Papan, D-San Mateo.
“Education should never be out of reach because of cost,” Becker said. “By signing SB 968, Governor Newsom is making San Mateo County’s successful Free Community College program permanent, opening doors for thousands of students to pursue higher education without the burden of tuition. This is an investment in opportunity, our workforce, and California’s future.”
The report also found that Free College helped increase enrollment from underrepresented regions throughout the county, including a 33% enrollment jump in East Palo Alto, 31% in Redwood City and 34% in Half Moon Bay.
Students interviewed for the report say it helped alleviate financial stressors and has given them more opportunities.
“It’s this privilege to kind of not worry about how I’m going to afford it and to go to classes I’m interested in,” said Nisha, a student at Cañada College. “I honestly wouldn’t be able to look at different fields and occupations if it weren’t for free college.”
