Seattle mayor to announce free college option for more high school students

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan plans to announce free college for additional high school students Monday evening.

The program is expanding to include students from Chief Sealth, Cleveland, and Rainier Beach.

They will be able to get two free years of college, “reducing or removing the financial barriers that keep some students from earning a degree, credential or certificate,” a Durkan spokeswoman said.

In November 2017 – within 24 hours of taking office -- Durkan signed an executive order that makes community college free for qualifying high school graduates in Seattle.

Durkan is making the announcement as part of a Monday night discussion at Garfield High along with a representative of the Department of Education and Early Learning.

“Seattle Promise is our progressive values made real,” Durkan said in a statement. “It is an example of how with urgent action we can seize opportunities to improve the lives of young people - it will open doors and make lasting progress for years to come."

Starting this fall, current students enrolled in the program will be eligible for a second year of free college and the benefit is expected to expand to Garfield, Ingraham and West Seattle high schools.

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