San Francisco Announces Free Community College for Residents

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Achieving a quality education is one of the key, fundamental social determiners of health. People with higher education levels have better long-term health.

More and more Latinos are enrolling in college. One city in the U.S. is looking to make access to higher education even more available than ever.

Mayor Ed Lee of San Francisco (15.3% Latino population) recently announced that the city would make college education free “to all its residents” through the City College of San Francisco. The plan will go into effect in 2018 and was made possible due to a tax on properties sold for at least $5 million.

“To California residents who are living in San Francisco, your community college is now free,” Mayor Ed Lee said in an interview with USA Today.

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Any San Francisco resident who has lived in the city for at least one year is eligible, regardless of income. The agreement has been likened to public school for K-12 students.

San Francisco voters approved a transfer tax in November of 2016. The city plans to provide $5.4 million annually for qualified students which will cover the $46-per-credit fees paid for City College of San Francisco enrollees. Both full- and part-time students can qualify.

Low-income students that already had their fees waived will also benefit. They will receive a $500 per year “stipend” as long as they are enrolled full-time. Part-time students will receive $200 a year. The funds can be used to pay for textbooks and supplies.