No Matter How Old You Are, COD Offers You Free Tuition
PALM DESERT — Whoever coined the adage “nothing in life is free,” never met the leadership forces at College of the Desert. That’s where Superintendent/President Val Martinez Garcia announced a major expansion of the College’s tuition-free program, unveiling a phased roll-out of plEDGE for all to provide free college education to every Coachella Valley resident, regardless of age, income, or educational background.
Superintendent/President Val Martinez Garcia
“This next phase of plEDGE for All removes barriers and opens doors,” Garcia said at the 2025 State of the College. “Education is a right that belongs to every member of our community. Whether you are beginning college, returning to finish your degree, or building new skills for your career, College of the Desert will support your success through access and opportunity.”
Launching in Fall 2026, the program will extend tuition-free college to the next cohort of learners. The initiative builds on nearly a decade of impact from the original plEDGE, which has served more than 10,000 local students since 2017.
COD Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Joel L. Kinnamon, who introduced the original plEDGE while serving as College President, reflected on the milestone. “When we began this program, the goal was to create a pathway to opportunity,” Kinnamon said. “The award-winning plEDGE program is nationally recognized as a best practice. This expansion continues that vision and aligns with the goal to ensure that every resident of the Coachella Valley can learn, grow, and thrive close to home.”
It was one of Kinnamon’s signature projects while leading the community college,
The expansion is expected to strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline in key industries, including healthcare, sustainability, hospitality, digital media, and advanced technology. It also aligns with the Board of Trustees visions and goals and supports COD’s Vision 2030 goal of increasing access and achievement across all communities.
To pay for it, many of the students will qualify for Cal grants, which pay for tuition. Those who don’t qualify for grants will receive financial aid from the COD Foundation.
The average cost of an undergraduate degree ranges from $25,707 to more than $218,000, according to the Education Data Initiative.
Research from the Federal Trade Commission found that offering free community college increased enrollment by 26% and degree completions by 20%.
BestColleges found 34 states that offer free tuition statewide, making community college accessible in most U.S. states. These states offer at least free tuition for students looking to begin their education at a community college or earn certificates and get training in highly needed fields or skilled trades.
