1 free year of community college promised to LAUSD graduates

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Starting next year, all graduates of Los Angeles Unified high schools will be eligible for a free year of tuition at a local community college.

The Los Angeles College Promise program was announced on Wednesday by Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden and honorary chair of the national College Promise Campaign.

"This is the promise that you can define your own future without having to worry about being burdened by decades of debt," said Biden, herself a community college instructor. "That you can focus on school, rather than having to juggle multiple jobs."

"And ultimately we use the word promise because that's what we see in all of you. The promise of a brighter future for our communities, our families and our country."

Los Angeles is becoming the 23rd city in California to join the national College Promise program.

Every student who graduates from LAUSD next year - an estimated 30,000 graduating seniors - will be able to attend one year free at one of LA's nine community colleges.