New Year, new opportunity for prospective college students

The New Year means a new opportunity for those interested in higher education.

Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill promising students one year of free community college. Now, community leaders in Salinas are working with those prospective students to give them the tools they need to sign up.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “Go to College Boot Camp,” on Thursday. It will feature panelists and professions who can help guide prospective students through all of the facets of applying to college.

Sergio Sanchez with the Chamber of Commerce said this information is crucial to aspiring students, especially now that a large portion of their financial burden may soon be eliminated.

The new state law waives the $46 per unit fee for one academic year. Though law makers still have to factor that money into the 2018 budget, Sanchez says it’s a major step.

“The fact that now the state is providing for first year out of community college for every Californian, now the excuses of not having the resources is gone, now it’s about that resolution for 2018 to say, ‘I’m going to go to college if I’m young or older,'” Sanchez said.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, Jan. 4 at 318 Cayuga Street, Suite 209 in Salinas.