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Mission

We are students fighting for free college. As tuition hikes, campus hunger and homelessness, and overwhelming student loan debt put higher education out of reach, we are leading a movement to put college within reach for all.

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1,200 percent

increase in the cost of tuition in a generation

Take Action on Your Campus

Fight for Free College

Our grassroots campaign is led by students and supporters like you. With your help, we can make California a state where hard work and talent -- not income or wealth -- determines your success in college and beyond.

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$1.5 Trillion

in student loan debt nationwide.

  • ✨ “There's no way I could have gone to college without FAFSA.” - Joe Day, Grand Rapids Community College ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ "Free tuition would help me a lot - it would allow me to meet new people and gain new experiences. There's no way I could have gone to college without FAFSA." - Joe Day, Grand Rapids Community College ⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #california #collegelife #highered #studentdebt
  • Great news for @californiacommunitycolleges students! SB291 has passed the Senate🎊🎉 Students are one step closer to getting the financial aid we need thanks to @connie.m.leyva leadership💥 Sign our petition to make sure it passes in the Assembly ➡️ Bit.ly/FreeCCCA (Link in bio)
  • #TBT to Camp Rise at UCSB 🌊🎓 We took a deep dive into the history of free college 📚 || Stay tuned for our next Camp Rise 🌟 Thank you to @ucsblc for co-hosting 💜
  • “Going to college was the expectation, the only way I could repay my parents for all of the sacrifices they had made for me, the only way to show them that all the horrible situations we overcame were worth it, worth it for the success of their children.” - Maria Mendez, Santa Clara University ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ “I chose to go to college because that was the expectation growing up. My family immigrated from Colombia when I was a child and I grew up knowing where I had come from and how hard my parents had worked to get me here. Going to college was the expectation, the only way I could repay my parents for all of the sacrifices they had made for me, the only way to show them that all the horrible situations we overcame were worth it, worth it for the success of their children. Free tuition would have changed which college I attended. The ability to pick which university you attend is an exciting and rewarding feeling for most seniors. I didn’t have that. My college was picked for me and it was a decision based on money - not my merits, not the opportunities I wanted access to, not the feeling I got when I visited the campus, it was money. Money was the determining factor that decided whether I attended a four year or a two year college. It was money that got to decide “the right fit” for me and it’s a horrible feeling. It’s a horrible feeling to know which university is the dream school, the one right for you and to have to choose something else because you can’t afford the dream. I currently pay for tuition through a combination of incentive grants from my university and loans. I pay for everything else myself. I have additional costs to cover in terms of textbooks and any car related costs. People should support free tuition because education is the answer to a lot of the problems we face today. If we truly want to empower our youth to solve modern problems like social security deficit, gun violence, the growing socioeconomic gap, etc., we must be educated and we must educate our youth.” - Maria Mendez, Santa Clara University ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree
  • “I currently work three jobs to pay for school. It is still not enough. I still have to take out loans.” - Harriet, UC Merced 🎓⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ “My name is Harriet, I am a 3rd year Political Science and Sociology major from South Central, CA. College never really crossed my mind - how could I go if I did not have the money for it? With the help of many people, I ended up going to UC Merced. I am currently pursuing a career as a lawyer to give back to my community by hopefully having my own law firm in LA. I currently work three jobs to pay for school. It is still not enough. I still have to take out loans. Free college would give low-income students the opportunity to receive a higher education and give back to their communities.” - Harriet, UC Merced 🎓⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #collegelife #highered #studentdebt
  • Reasons to stay hopeful 💫 1. Finals are almost over 📚 2. You’re proving that you’re stronger than you thought 🌱 3. The California legislature is about to vote on a bill to make 2 years of community college free 🎓 What are your reasons to stay hopeful?
  • “Throughout my junior year in high school, I lost interest in attending college because I knew that college was going to be an issue for me to pay off.” - Emily Diaz⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ “Throughout my junior year in high school, I lost interest in attending college because I knew that college was going to be an issue for me to pay off. I persevered all those obstacles, and now I'm here, as a sophomore student. I have been living on my own, supporting myself, needing to balance school and work in order for me to attend school and it has been a huge challenge. I believe that free tuition for colleges is extremely important. It can open doors for more students that want to pursue higher education. It can be overwhelming when a student has to support themselves or their families while paying for college. Lastly, more institution across the U.S. should realize that many students are getting burnt out because of the tuition that they’re being asked to pay.”- Emily Diaz, ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #california #collegelife #highered #studentdebt
  • #TBT to students lobbying for @connieleyva's SB291! What is SB 291? This bill will build a financial aid program to help cover the cost of attendance for California Community College students
  • “Having free tuition would mean that I don’t have to work three jobs just to feel financially stable.” - Brenda Salas, UC Merced⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ “I never thought I was smart enough to go to a UC but I always knew I had to pursue higher education. I chose to go to college to obtain a job and one day provide for my parents and family instead of living paycheck to paycheck. Free tuition would mean that I would not be in debt. I have always had to be strong and financially independent. My parents never had the means to provide for my older sister, myself, and my younger siblings all while affording Bay Area rent. Having free tuition would mean that I don’t have to work three jobs just to feel financially stable. I have grown to become fully independent and don’t rely on my parents for much. I pay for everything I need including rent, food, my car, etc. I try to work extra hours when I know I will be visiting my family back home so I can pay for some of their groceries. I have younger twin brothers whom I try to help by paying for clothes and shoes. Creating free college is the first step towards breaking barriers and empowering others to become something great.” - Brenda Salas, UC Merced�⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #california #collegelife #highered #studentdebt
  • “I don't know if I will be able to get a good paying job after I graduate. Instead of saving money to move out, I'm saving money to pay back my monthly loan payments.” - Nikki S., Cal State San Bernardino ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ ⠀ “I’m excited to graduate this year but at the same time I’m extremely worried about my monthly loan payments. Most people that I know pay around $350. It may not sound like a lot but I already help out with bills at home and adding that to my expenses is a lot.I don't know if I will be able to get a good paying job after I graduate. Instead of saving money to move out, I'm saving money to pay back my monthly loan payments. If college was free I would be able to enjoy graduating and be able to move out from my parent’s house. - Nikki S., Cal State San Bernardino ⠀ ⠀ #College #Students #Politics #FreeCollege #FreeCollegeTuition #StudentDebt #Advocacy #California #Michigan #Rise #RiseFree #studentsmatter #studentsvoice #freecollegetuition #collegeforall #california #collegelife #highered #studentdebt

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$7 billion

States Are Spending Less On Higher Education Than Before the Recession

Check out our petition here.


College costs 1,200+ percent more today than a generation ago.

Join the students fighting back.


Sign our petition to join the fight for free college.