Allan Hancock College Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph. D. tells staff and faculty that Hancock will expand its Promise Program to two years at a March 1 meeting at the college’s Santa Maria campus. Courtesy photos.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College is expanding its award-winning Promise program to provide a full two years of tuition-free college tuition for local high school graduates.
The expanded two-year Promise, also known as HP2, was announced on March 8 as the college welcomed more than 2,000 local high school students to its campus for the annual Career Exploration Day event. Many of the students in attendance will benefit from the Promises expansion when it goes into effect in Fall 2024.
“We’ve covered first-year tuition for five years now, and that has significantly increased the number of local students who have access to a college education,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “The two-year Promise will better support those students as they work to complete their degrees.”
The current qualifications for the Hancock Promise will apply to the expanded program. Students who graduate high school in Hancock’s district and enroll full-time at Hancock the following summer or fall will qualify. These students will not have to pay tuition or fees for their first two years at Hancock.
“We want every student in our community to know that we’re here to support them every step of the way,” Walthers said. “This is about investing in futures and building a stronger community.”
The expansion of the Promise program was made possible by community donations to the Allan Hancock College Foundation. On March 7, the Foundation announced the completion of its $10 million endowment campaign at a private appreciation event for donors.
“Our community clearly understands that supporting in the Promise is a direct investment in the future of our community,” said Hancock Executive Director of College Advancement Jon Hooten, Ph.D. “Providing a $10 million endowment that will support students into perpetuity is a remarkable achievement for our community — one that should make us all proud.”
Since it launched in 2018, more than 8,300 local students received their first year of college free through the Hancock Promise. Political science major and Hancock Associated Student Body Government (ASBG) president Samantha Martinez knows how life-changing the college’s Promise program can be. Martinez said the Hancock Promise alleviated a significant financial barrier in the pursuit of higher education.
“The Hancock Promise helped put me one step ahead in my education by not incurring student debt while I earn college credits and build up my GPA,” Martinez said. “It helped make my academic journey not a stressful one. It’s made it a joyous and fruitful journey and I’m very grateful for that.”
The announcement of the two-year Promise comes as the college is gearing up to promote summer and fall classes. Students can begin viewing summer and fall class offerings on April 8. Open registration for classes starts on May 2, with summer classes beginning on June 10 and fall classes beginning on Aug. 19.
To learn more about the HP2 expanded Promise program, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/promise
The Allan Hancock College Foundation celebrated its goal of raising $10 million to fund two years of the Hancock Promise in perpetuity at a private donor recognition event on March 7 at Presqu’ile Winery in Santa Maria.