Students in the West Valley – Mission Community College District (WVMCCD) have scored a major victory – free tuition. At the end of September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 3158, legislation that allows WVMCCD to waive tuition fees to all students living within its service area.
The bill will expand access to higher education to thousands of students by removing the financial barriers. It was authored by Assembly Member Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park).
“Two-thirds of California’s community college students struggle with basic needs insecurities such as food and housing, a reality mirrored in West Valley-Mission Community College District’s student population,” said Berman. “This new law will ensure students don’t have to choose between taking the extra class they need to graduate or working an extra shift so they can afford groceries or pay rent.”
“Because of the soaring costs of living in the Bay Area, many students are trapped in a cycle of living paycheck to paycheck,” said former West Valley College Student Trustee Melanie Ho.
She believes the bill will “ease financial strain and foster a more equitable learning environment.”
AB 3158 deals with the Bay Area’s high cost of living by eliminating state-mandated tuition fees at WVMCCD.
It was a service that WVMCCD was already performing thanks to the College Promise Scholarship, but this new legislation will allow the district to expand its reach.
WVMCCD says even with scholarships, many students still face a barrier to access because of the complexity of forms and state-mandated requirements. The issues are magnified for non-traditional students and those with language barriers.
“With AB 3158, every student in our service area—whether full-time, part-time, or returning to school—will have access to free, high-quality education without the financial or procedural obstacles that have held many back,” said Chancellor Bradley Davis. “This law cuts out complicated forms and delays, making it as easy as enrolling and attending. It’s a significant step forward in our mission to remove barriers for our students.”
“Community colleges serve students from all walks of life, many of whom don’t fit into the traditional college mold,” said WVMCCD Trustee Adrienne Grey. “This bill opens doors for people retooling their careers, balancing family responsibilities, or lacking the support to navigate complex financial aid forms. It’s a vital step toward ensuring equity in education and making sure no one is left behind.”
To date, WVMCCD has used money collected from local property taxes to help balance its budget without collecting student fees.
WVMCCD has seen a resurgence in enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Berman authored the bill, AB 3158 received broad bipartisan support with State Senators Josh Becker and Dave Cortese serving as co-authors. Assembly Members Evan Low and Gail Pellerin also signed as co-authors of the free tuition bill.
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