Big increase in eligible adult learners receiving tuition and fees at no cost
Mesa, Ariz. – Oct. 22, 2026 – The Mesa College Promise program welcomed its sixth and largest group of students to receive two years of fully funded tuition and fees at Mesa Community College (MCC). For the third consecutive year, the program includes eligible Mesa residents who are 24 years or older.
Launched in 2021 as a public-private partnership between the City of Mesa, MCC and industry partners, the Mesa College Promise removes financial barriers for both recent high school graduates and eligible adult learners. The program is helping more Mesa residents upskill, reskill and advance their careers with tuition and fees fully covered.
To sustain the program, two electronic, city-approved billboards were activated along the U.S. 60 freeway near MCC’s Southern and Dobson Campus in fall 2025. The innovative collaboration between Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF), MCC and the City of Mesa will raise revenue in perpetuity that will support the Mesa College Promise, ensuring sustainable funding for decades to come.
“The Mesa College Promise is making a real difference in our community,” said Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman. “With this year’s significant increase in new students, more residents are taking advantage of higher education opportunities. Partnerships between Mesa Community College, the City of Mesa and local businesses give students the tools to succeed and help build a stronger workforce for our City’s future.”
This year’s group includes 232 new students. Of those, 177 recently completed high school or an equivalent, while 55 are adult learners who are 24 years of age or older. This year saw a 24% increase in returning adult learners compared to Fall 2025. Mesa College Promise has awarded a record $262,174 to 410 new and continuing students for the 2026-2027 academic year.
“Mesa College Promise is a powerful example of how partnerships can transform lives and strengthen communities,” said MCC President Dr. Richard Daniel. “Together with the City of Mesa, we are making it possible for more recent high school graduates and adult learners alike to pursue higher education. Each Promise scholar represents an investment in individual achievement and the collective potential of our community.”
As one of the first Promise Programs in Arizona, Mesa College Promise began in Fall 2021 with 88 students. Enrollment has steadily expanded each year: 201 students in Fall 2022, 216 in Fall 2023, 301 in Fall 2024, 361 in Fall 2025 and now 410 in Fall 2026. Nearly 70% of the students are the first in their families to attend college. The average grade point average for returning students is 3.2.
Mesa College Promise scholars receive personalized support, including tutoring and academic advising, access to an iPad loan program and a $250 stipend each semester for up to two years to help cover costs of books, transportation or other educational expenses.
Applications for the Mesa College Promise program will reopen in 2027. Learn more at mesacc.edu/mesa-promise.
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Media contacts:
City of Mesa: Kevin Christopher, 480-644-4699, [email protected]
MCC: Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, [email protected]
About City of Mesa
With a population of more than 523,000, Mesa, Arizona, is the 37th largest city in the United States and the second largest in the Phoenix-Mesa metro area. Located within a 5.2 million–person metro, projected to reach 5.5 million by 2030, Mesa spans more than 140 square miles of opportunity, strategically positioned for growth, innovation, and long-term success.
Mesa Community College (MCC) is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving more than 23,000 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 5,677 hours of community service annually. MCC serves as a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest Indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges, supporting students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu/newsroom.
MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.