The tuition waiver Freedom to Dream returns for the upcoming Fall 2026 semester with new requirements and new adjustments.

The first Freedom to Dream period was intended to promote interest in the college from recent high school graduates and eligible returning adult learners. The program achieved an 82% retention rate, with 1,390 students currently enrolled under the tuition and fee waiver program. The first round was successful enough to warrant a second trial, the Freedom to Dream 2.0. This time around changes are being made to better suit potential Del Mar College students’ needs.

While the core requirements of full-time enrollment and in-district residency have not changed, one of the biggest changes made to the updated Freedom to Dream 2.0 is with benchmark scores. For students to be eligible for the tuition waiver, they will need to demonstrate college readiness by earning readiness benchmarks scores or equivalent on their TSIA2, the state mandated testing to measure college readiness in reading, mathematics, and writing, fees included. . [1] 

Another adjustment made was that high school graduates who took dual credit courses and returning adult learners need to have a 2.0 GPA to qualify under the tuition waiver. The 2.0 GPA minimum aligns with the financial aid standard, which students under the waiver may still qualify for. Another change for returning adult students is the extension of previously attempted credit hours. Before, the returning student could not have attempted more than 12 semester credit hours to qualify, but that has been extended to no more than 18 semester credit hours attempted in total to fully qualify.

A helpful change discovered in the midst of the first trial of Freedom to Dream was the addition of success coaches, who help students navigate their academic lives to balance with any other obligations outside the classroom and promote success under the program. Now that change is being fully implemented and improved upon for students in both the new 2.0 and of the original Freedom to Dream recipients.

“I think having an academic advisor and a success coach together, working with the student helps with maintaining retention, helps them navigate college,” said Patricia Benavides-Dominguez, vice president for Student Affairs and a lead of the Freedom to Dream program.

To help navigate through the process, information sessions are being offered. The first session takes place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 in the Harvin Student Center of Heritage Campus.

The deadline to apply for Freedom to Dream 2.0 is April 30. To apply go to https://www.delmar.edu/freedom/index.html. For any further questions on the Freedom to Dream email studentaffairs@delmar.edu.

Info Sessions

Wednesday, February 18

5:30 p.m.

Harvin Student Center, Heritage Campus

Wednesday, March 18

5:30 p.m.

Oso Creek Campus, Main Central Building

Wednesday, April 15

5:30 p.m.

Coleman Center, Windward Campus[2]