Tuition-Free Colleges in San Diego 2025

If you want to attend college in San Diego, you may wonder how to earn a degree affordably. In particular, you're wondering if any colleges or universities in town offer free tuition.

Thanks to the San Diego Promise Program, college students can get up to two years of free tuition at three community colleges in San Diego. Additionally, the nearby Southwestern College provides a last-dollar waiver program, and the University of California San Diego covers tuition costs for students who are California residents and whose family income is less than $80,000 a year.

Keep reading for more information. Also, remember there are many tuition-free online colleges in California.

Top 5 Tuition-Free Colleges Near San Diego

If you're interested in attending college tuition-free in San Diego, you've come to the right place. Keep reading as we look at the top schools in San Diego offering free tuition for eligible students.

San Diego City College

San Diego City College is a public community college in downtown San Diego. It belongs to the San Diego Community College District and boasts an enrollment of nearly 17,000 students.

Students at this school can receive two years of free tuition and covered health fees through the San Diego Promise Program. In exchange, students are expected to maintain a GPA of 2.0, meet with a counselor each semester, complete a comprehensive education plan during their first year, and complete an engagement activity and progress report during the fall and spring semesters.

San Diego Mesa College

San Diego Mesa Community College is in the San Diego Community College District. It's located in the Clairemont Mesa area of San Diego and enrolls almost 30,000 students.

Through the San Diego Promise Program, students at this school can receive up to two academic years of free tuition and health fees. Other benefits include:

• a book grant
• specialized guidance support
• peer mentorship
• various engagement activities and other student services on campus

San Diego Miramar College

San Diego Miramar College is the final for-credit institution in the San Diego Community College District. It is the smallest school in the district by enrollment with around 12,500 students.

The San Diego Promise Program provides two years of free tuition and health fees. Other student support resources include access to Promise Program counselors, book grants, and individualized academic guidance.

University of California San Diego

The University of California San Diego is part of the University of California System. The school offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and enrolls more than 33,000 students.

The University of California offers the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, a program covering tuition and fees for eligible students residing in California. The University of California San Diego participates in this program, ensuring in-state students whose families earn less than $80,000 a year receive free tuition and fees. Those with significant financial need can apply for additional financial aid resources to help them cover other costs associated with attending college.

Southwestern College

Southwestern College is a public community college located in Chula Vista. The school boasts a large enrollment of more than 23,000 students.

The school offers the Southwestern College Promise Program, a last-dollar program that waives enrollment fees for eligible students. It provides two continuous years of free tuition for students who have exhausted other financial aid resources and meet basic eligibility requirements, including California residency and full-time enrollment status.

How To Access Free College in San Diego

Keep reading if you're still wondering how to use student aid opportunities and earn free tuition. The following tips will help you understand how to use support services and demonstrate financial need.

Attend a Community College

Attending a community college is the best way to attend college for free in San Diego. The three schools belonging to the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) all participate in the San Diego Promise Program, enabling promise students to complete two years of college tuition-free.

The overall cost of attendance is generally lower at community colleges than at four-year schools. So, not only will you gain free tuition, but your other expenses (fees, book costs, etc.) will most likely be lower.

Apply for Financial Aid

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California DREAM Act application is crucial to be considered for financial aid. These financial aid applications can help you demonstrate financial need and earn grants, work-study opportunities, loan offers, and more.

Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. As such, high school students are encouraged to complete their application early.

Grants and Scholarship Programs

Aside from federal and state aid, you can earn additional grants and scholarships from private organizations like businesses and nonprofits. Some common scholarships available to students in San Diego include:

• Arthur H. Goodman Scholarship
• DLH Foundation Scholarship
• Mattis Law Making Waves Scholarship
• Beauty for Ashes Scholarship
• Bomberos de San Diego Scholarship

Each scholarship has eligibility requirements, such as minimum GPA, supporting documents, or application steps. Make sure you understand the requirements for the specific scholarship you're applying for to ensure you're eligible for it.

FAQs About Tuition-Free Degree Programs in San Diego

Don't get discouraged if you're still unsure whether you can receive tuition-free college in San Diego. Read on as we answer frequently asked questions you may be wondering about.

Can I Go to School for Free in San Diego?

Yes, it is possible to attend college for free in San Diego. The San Diego Promise Program covers tuition costs for eligible students, along with providing other services for student success, and the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covers systemwide tuition costs at the University of California's San Diego campus. You can also apply for grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid to help you cover expenses like fees, books, and room and board.

Who Qualifies for Free College Tuition in California?

Students eligible for the San Diego Promise program may be first-time or returning college students who are high school graduates. Other eligible students include undocumented students, foster youth, and veterans. At the University of California San Diego), California residents whose family income is less than $80,000 annually may be eligible for free tuition.

Do Students Have to Attend Full-Time to Qualify for the Promise?

Yes. Community college students utilizing the San Diego Promise Program must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester to maintain eligibility. Additionally, all first-year students must participate in a Promise orientation program either online or in person to receive funds from the program.