Beginning in 2025, all students living within West Valley-Mission Community College District’s service areas will receive free tuition to attend classes at either of the District’s two colleges, Mission College and West Valley College.
Free tuition applies to all students - fulltime, part-time and returning - without the need for complicated forms or paperwork. To qualify, students simply enroll in classes and attend, thanks to legislation signed into law in mid-September.
AB 3158, authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), eliminates state-mandated tuition fees for students within the District. Funded by local property taxes, the District has successfully balanced its budget in recent years without the need for student fees.
The new legislation expands on and streamlines existing programs, including the California College Promise program. That program offers tuition waivers but excludes many students due to stringent requirements such as fulltime enrollment and complex financial aid forms.
The legislation eliminates that and the time-consuming reimbursement processes associated with it.
Now the entire process is dramatically simplified for all students: Enroll and attend classes. For free.
Community colleges serve students from all walks of life, many of whom don’t fit into the traditional college mold. This opens doors for people retooling their careers, balancing family responsibilities, or lacking the support to navigate complex financial aid forms. It’s a vital step toward ensuring equity in education and making sure no one is left behind.
This isn’t just about waiving fees – it’s about smart governance. This allows us to use our local resources more effectively, without increasing the District’s budget or asking for more state funding. It’s a win-win for students and taxpayers alike.