It’s not too late to apply for a year of free tuition through the College of the Canyons First-Year Promise Plus program. College of the Canyons has extended the application deadline until the 500-student limit is reached.

The new program, which was expanded through funding from a new state program called California College Promise, will accept students on a first-come, first-served basis for the fall 2018 semester.

To be eligible for First-Year Promise Plus, students must enroll in at least 12 units of classes in both fall 2018 and spring 2019. The program will cover the cost of up to 15 units per semester, potentially saving students $1,380 in tuition.

Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. The program gives students access to coaches, mentors, counselors and college personnel dedicated to their academic success, as well as tutoring in a variety of subjects. The combination of services is designed to propel students forward to achieve their academic goals.

Signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last year and funded for the first time in the 2018/19 state budget, California College Promise lays the groundwork for the state’s community colleges to increase access and student success by increasing the number of degrees and certificates awarded and helping students secure gainful employment.

College of the Canyons received $898,434 from California College Promise, which is the 10th highest amount among California’s 114 community colleges. The funding is ongoing and subject to change each academic year.

Launched last fall, the college’s First-Year Promise program provides increased opportunities for new full-time college students to achieve their educational goals by waiving tuition and fees during their first year of study.

The online application, additional information and eligibility requirements are available at the program’s webpage.