From Good to Great – How to Maximize Equity in California’s Statewide Free College Program

Abstract

A “free college” movement is sweeping the nation and taking hold in California. Adopted last year and funded this year, the California College Promise program gives community college districts flexible spending that they can use to help ease the financial barriers students face, including tuition. However, while “free college” is a catchy phrase and an admirable goal, the true cost of college goes beyond tuition. This report provides eight key criteria to use in assessing the level of equity within a free college program, and finds that California has room to improve the program in five of the eight areas.