Nearly 200 Contra Costa College students woke up to a surprise this morning: A text informing them that the CCC Foundation has paid off their outstanding fees and tuition.
This initiative applies to all Contra Costa College Spring 2026 graduates who qualify for California residency under California’s tuition structure. That includes refugees and other immigrants who qualify for in-state tuition under California law.
International and out-of-state students, who are enrolled under a different tuition model, were not able to be included in this effort. Neither are high school students, who already qualify for free tuition and fee waivers.
Full-time students can also qualify for free tuition at the college. Many students, however, have work and family obligations that prevent them from attending full time.
The move will allow impacted students to receive their diplomas and certificates, access other college services, and request the transcripts they need to transfer to a four-year university or get certain jobs.
More importantly, it is one less bill to pay in a challenging economic environment. On average, each student carried about $173 in remaining debt. While that amount may seem small, for many students balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, this relief represents something much bigger: a clean slate.
“The foundation has had a good year, philanthropically,” said Contra Costa College Foundation Executive Director Sara Marcellino. “And the cost of living is exceptionally high right now, particularly in the Bay Area. Our donors and board wanted our graduates to leave knowing their community is behind them, investing in their success, and celebrating everything they’ve accomplished.
The largest debt owed was $980; the smallest was just $2.
“We know that life is expensive,” said Contra Costa College President Dr. Kimberly R. Rogers. “Our students work, they have families, yet at the same time they still come to school. Sometimes, you find yourself in debt, and the last thing we want is for our students to graduate and still owe money to the college. As someone who had a lot of student loans, if I’d had this opportunity, it would have made such a difference in my life. And to work at this institution, to work with people who truly believe in education and in supporting students is just an amazing thing to be a part of. I’m grateful to be here, and I know our graduates won’t ever forget this moment in their lives.”
Rogers points to a similar effort undertaken five years ago by Marcellino and previous CCC President Dr. Damon A. Bell for laying the groundwork for this project.
Contra Costa College serves a diverse student population, and is officially designated a Black Serving Institution, an Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. It also boasts one of the most diverse faculties in the nation, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
It has long prioritized affordability and access, with 99% of students graduating without ever taking out a student loan.
The college is also increasingly known for academic excellence. CCC was recently named an Achieving the Dream campus, as well as NASA’s only Northern California Aerospace Scholars campus. It is home to the most-awarded two-year college media outlet in US history, and this year instructor Mark Wong was named one of five national finalists for Faculty Member of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees.