Rio Hondo College in Whittier giving students 2nd year of free tuition

WHITTIER, Calif. (KABC) -- Rio Hondo College in Whittier is making history.

The school is the first college in Los Angeles County to implement a second year of free tuition for students.

Officials announced the expansion of the "Rio Promise" program.

The program began in the 2017-2018 school year, with 456 first-year students from local public high schools participating.

An estimated 443 students will qualify for the second-year program.

The free tuition is for two years.

The Rio Promise is funded by donations and by leveraging Pell grants, California Promise grants and California Promise waivers.