plEDGE for All: Free College for Every Coachella Valley Resident
College of the Desert is expanding its promise of access and opportunity with plEDGE
for All, a phased program that will provide tuition-free education to every Coachella
Valley resident, regardless of age, income, or background.
Launching in Fall 2026, the program begins with a pilot group and will expand in phases to serve all residents by 2030. This next chapter builds on the success of COD’s original plEDGE, which has already helped more than 10,000 local students attend college tuition-free since 2017.
Education is a right and at COD, it’s now within everyone’s reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first phase begins with Fall 2026 registration, which opens in April 2026. More
details will be announced prior to this.
The initial rollout includes veterans, returning COD students with 30+ units, noncredit
workforce learners, first responder trainees, and residents with a high school equivalency.
Yes! The current plEDGE program for local high school graduates will continue as is.
Through a sustainable mix of state and federal aid, scholarships, and generous contributions
to the COD Foundation.
COD plans to expand access in phases, with full eligibility for all Coachella Valley
residents by 2030.
