(ONTARIO)- Local elected officials and education leaders came together today to commemorate the creation of California’s College Promise, a landmark grant program that will help students earn college degrees. Last week, Assemblymembers Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) and Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) announced that $15 million had been secured in the State Budget to fund the grant program.
“California’s College Promise is a victory for California’s students,” said Rodriguez. “Regional College Promise Programs like Ontario-Montclair Promise Scholars give students the support and opportunities they need to achieve their dreams. The state’s investment will enable these types of programs to spread across the state and help more students succeed.”
Inspired by successful Promise Programs such as Long Beach College Promise and Ontario-Montclair Promise Scholars, Assemblymembers Rodriguez and O’Donnell introduced Assembly Bill 1741 to create the California College Promise Innovation Awards. This landmark grant program will provide much-needed funding to community college districts to establish College Promise Programs in their region.
“As a classroom teacher, I believe every hardworking student deserves a clear pathway to earning a college degree,” said O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) “The success of the Long Beach College Promise is proof that when schools and college campuses partner together, higher education enrollment increases. I look forward to working alongside Assemblymember Rodriguez to deliver the College Promise to students across California.”
“California has long prioritized public education as a pathway to economic stability,” said Assemblymember Jose Medina, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee and co-author of AB 1741. “Regions throughout the state operate successful “Promise Programs” and improve student success using pathways and partnerships between the K-12 and higher education segments. It is my priority to ensure access and affordability of higher education for all Californians.”
California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, who supports the California Promise legislative package which includes AB 1741 also issued the following statement:
"Community colleges are a critical point of access to higher education, and one of our most effective tools for upward mobility. I extend my congratulations to Assemblymembers Rodriguez, O'Donnell and Medina for leading the charge to secure this critical funding. The Promise Programs that will spring up across California because of these grants will expand opportunity for our young people, putting more students on the path to college and good-paying jobs."