HOW HEADS UP AMERICA HELPED THREE STATES MOVE TOWARD PROMISE OF TUITION-FREE EDUCATION! (1471 hits)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!
This month, three new states moved toward adopting tuition-free higher education programs.
• On January 3rd, Governor Andrew Cuomo traveled to LaGuardia Community College to announce (http://headsupamerica.us/free-tuition-for-new-york/) his proposal to offer free college tuition for low and middle-income students attending all of New York’s public community colleges and state universities.
• Two weeks later, Governor Gina Raimondo proposed (http://www.providencejournal.com/…/praise-for-free-tuition-…) that all Rhode Island high school graduates receive two years of free college tuition at Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island, and Community College of Rhode Island.
• Meanwhile in Hawaii, the newly proposed Hawaii Promise (http://www.hawaii.edu/…/hawaiis-promise-free-community-col…/) plans to cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and transportation for students with financial need to attend any University of Hawaii community college.
There are now several states with free community college programs or proposals! Who will be next?! Help us keep this momentum going by donating to the College Promise Campaign!
As President Barack Obama and Dr. Jill Biden wrapped up their time in public office earlier this month, our Campaign acknowledged (http://headsupamerica.us/farewellobama) /their pioneering vision to support free community college. Their leadership inspired explosive growth in the movement to make community college free for all hardworking students. We are thrilled that Dr. Biden will continue in her role as Chair of our National Advisory Board, and look forward to working with her to build on our progress.
New Progress
• We traveled to Sacramento to present at the Community College League of California’s Annual Legislative Conference. We proudly shared the stage with Santa Barbara City College Promise, which is off to a great start! Together, we discussed the importance of supporting and developing free community college programs in California.
• Patrick Lavilla, a Laguardia Community College student, told us his inspiring story (http://headsupamerica.us/philippines-➡%EF%B8%8F-queens-my-…/) of how his advocacy as part of our Student Leadership Committee helped lead to Governor Cuomo’s tuition-free college proposal in New York.
• The Tennessee Promise, which previously offered tuition-free community college for recent high school graduates, expanded its Promise (https://www.insidehighered.com/…/tenn-plans-expand-free-2-y…) to adults of any age.
Thanks to you, the movement for free community college continues to grow. To help keep up the momentum, donate HERE!: http://headsupamerica.us/donate/
