PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo is urging lawmakers to support her proposal to expand the state’s free tuition program.
The Democrat touted the success of the program during a meeting Tuesday with the House Finance Committee.
She says Rhode Island Promise has increased the number of low-income students at the Community College of Rhode Island by 143 percent and quadrupled the number of students graduating in two years.
People were interested in these podcasts
Raimondo says “for a few million dollars, you are seeing a remarkable return.”
The governor’s budget proposal for fiscal 2020 calls for $13.2 million for the program.
Raimondo wants to expand the program to older students at CCRI and cover the last two years of a four-year degree at Rhode Island College.
Some lawmakers question whether the state can afford an expansion.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.