Free college tuition extended for Valley grads

College of the Desert is extending its tuition-free “plEDGE” program for another three years, offering free education for local high school graduates until the 2019-20 academic year, the school’s president announced today.
The program, launched earlier this year, has been utilized by about 1,000 students who graduated from Coachella Valley high schools this spring, according to College of the Desert.
Current plEDGE students will also receive free tuition during the 2018- 2019 school year, while 2018 high school graduates will receive free tuition through 2020.
The program’s extension was announced Friday during the Desert Community College District’s Board of Trustees’ meeting.
“We do not want the cost of college to prevent students from pursuing a higher education,” COD Superintendent and President Joel L. Kinnamon said. “This program helps remove some of the economic barriers to entering the first year of college while also providing critical guidance, skills and support that is essential to students achieving their educational and career goals.”
Students who qualify for the program must maintain full-time enrollment, complete required work experience or community service and maintain academic performance. plEDGE applicants must also apply for all eligible state and federal financial aid.