SE Valley Times

The City of Tempe and Rio Salado College have introduced the Tempe Promise Program, aimed at providing financial support to adult learners seeking higher education. The program is designed to help residents of Tempe with demonstrated financial need attend Rio Salado College by covering some tuition and fee expenses as well as related costs like books.

Mayor Corey Woods emphasized the program's role in increasing postsecondary access and meeting the needs of working adults. “The Tempe Promise Program equitably increases postsecondary access, enrollment and attainment while also meeting the needs of working adults by providing financial assistance and access to wrap-around supports, especially for first-generation student populations and others who have been historically underrepresented in the postsecondary sector,” said Woods. He acknowledged Rio Salado College's partnership in addressing critical employment and education needs.

Rio Salado College President Kate Smith highlighted the program's impact on removing financial barriers for adult learners. "The Tempe Promise Program is a transformative opportunity for our community, removing financial barriers and opening doors to higher education for adult learners,” said Smith. She added that earning a college credential not only enhances individual lives but also strengthens the workforce and contributes to Tempe’s economic vitality.

The initiative aligns with other College Promise programs which aim to foster a college-going culture by removing barriers such as tuition costs, while also providing academic and community support. The City of Tempe is investing $69,000 in federal funds into this pilot program, with Rio Salado overseeing its implementation throughout Spring 2025.

Applications are open from January 7 until April 21 for new, recent, and current students planning to enroll in Spring 2025. The program seeks to bolster existing resources under the City of Tempe’s Education Roadmap by helping achieve Achieve65—a goal where 65% of residents aged 25 or older will hold a degree or post-secondary credential by 2030—and supporting local businesses through addressing training needs.

Tempe Promise covers remaining tuition after federal aid application, offering eligible students a $500 per semester stipend for non-direct educational expenses like transportation. Participants will receive personalized support including academic advising, tutoring, counseling, career services assistance, among others.

Eligibility criteria include being a resident of Tempe qualifying for Arizona/Maricopa County resident tuition at Rio Salado; having an income at or below 80% of Area Median Income; U.S citizenship or legal residency; demonstrating financial need via FAFSA; being at least 25 years old without a prior degree; declaring a certificate or degree program while enrolling in credit-bearing courses.

For more information about Tempe Promise visit riosalado.edu/tempepromise.