SAN ANTONIO -- The Alamo Colleges launched a free-tuition program called the AlamoPROMISE, announced Tuesday.
- Extended to certain local institutions
- Expected to expand
- 33 percent of local high school seniors complete college
The program will apply to graduates of 45 Bexar County high schools at five community colleges. The plan is to expand to an additional 20 public high schools the following year.
The AlamoPROMISE is a vision to eliminate poverty in San Antonio by providing the first two years of community college to students seeking an associate degree, certification, transfer courses or workforce training.
San Antonio is one of the fastest growing economic regions in the country, yet has the second highest poverty rate among the largest U.S. metro areas (2017).
Only 45 percent of high school seniors in San Antonio attend college and 33 percent complete college, which is 12 percent less than the national average.
“We would like to congratulate the state of Texas for creating the largest Promise program in the state of Texas. The AlamoPROMISE is expecting to serve more than 3,000 students in its first year, increasing the earnings of those earning an associate’s degree from Alamo Colleges by $9,400 each year compared to the average high school graduate working in Texas. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact that the AlamoPROMISE has on its students and its community,” said Martha Kanter, executive director of the College Promise Campaign
The program provides comprehensive student support services such as career exploration, advising, transportation and childcare costs, food insufficiency and other barriers students face in attending and completing college.
Over the next five years, Alamo Colleges officials expect more than 19,000 new students to enroll in the system, resulting in a 25 percent increase of students at participating high schools attending community colleges.
"San Antonio understands the value of investing in their talent pipeline and more specifically in providing many Latino students an opportunity to achieve the American dream by empowering these young students with a "Promise of college success." Said Rosye Cloud, Executive Vice President of The College Promise Campaign. (63 percent of the San Antonio Community is of Latino or Hispanic origin). "Latinos are projected to account for 24.4% of total U.S. GDP growth by 2020. 1 in 3 are under the age of 18. So this promise investment is going to yield benefits for the community for many generations to come" according to Rosye Cloud, executive vice president of the College Promise Campaign.