Tuition-Free plEDGE Program Extended
June 20, 2018
PALM DESERT, CA — The Desert Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to extend
College of the Desert’s plEDGE program to provide two years tuition-free to local
high school students who graduate in 2019.
“We do not want the cost of college to prevent students from pursuing a higher education,”
said Superintendent/President Joel L. Kinnamon, Ed.D.
“This program helps remove some of the economic barriers to entering the first year
of college while also providing critical guidance, skills and support that is essential
to students achieving their educational and career goals,” he said.
The College’s successful donor-supported plEDGE program launched in the 2017-2018
academic year, benefiting about 1,000 students who graduated from local high schools
in spring 2017 and began attending College of the Desert full-time in the fall. Some
of the first plEDGE students are expected to graduate next May.
Local high school students who graduated in 2018 and 2019 also now have the opportunity
to attend College of the Desert full-time for two years tuition-free following their
graduation. More than 1,300 high school students who graduated in 2018 have enrolled
in the plEDGE program this summer.
“The plEDGE is a powerful commitment to the educational and economic futures of our
students, college, and community,” Kinnamon said. “We are so grateful to all who contributed
or will contribute to our plEDGE campaign making college possible for every local
high school student who wants to pursue the dream of higher education.”
“Our message is clear: If you want to go to college, you can at COD,” he said.
Students in the plEDGE program must enroll full-time (at least 12 units per semester)
at the College; participate in the College’s EDGE (Engage, Develop, Grow, Empower)
summer program before their first semester; maintain good academic standing; and participate
in 10 hours of community service, mentoring or internships.
College of the Desert has campuses in Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Mecca/Thermal
and Palm Springs. The community college also offers classes at off-campus sites such
as Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage high schools.
About College of the Desert:
Established in 1958, College of the Desert (COD), located in Palm Desert, is an accredited
community college serving eastern Riverside County, California. The College leads
the region in providing quality, higher education, technical training and lifelong
learning opportunities, in response to the dynamic needs of our diverse community. The College serves more than 15,000 each year and is the number one source of transfer
students to California State University, San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus. For
more information, visit www.collegeofthedesert.edu.