San Mateo County officials this week announced a program to send 500 students to college for free.
The free college education program, unveiled during a news conference Monday at Skyline College in San Bruno, is funded by a $2 million grant from the county.
The free college education is available for students who enroll in the San Mateo County Community College District’s Promise Scholars Program, which offers scholarships and support services to first-time, full-time students.
Mario Guzman, a Promise Scholar Program participant who moved from El Salvador to Pacifica five years ago, attends Skyline College and is interested in digital arts and content creation.
David Canepa, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement that free college education can restore hope for youth.
“This is a huge investment in our youth who have struggled mightily during the pandemic with many of them seeing their family members lose jobs, battle food insecurity or miss rent payments,” Canepa said.