Renton Promise pilots tuition wrap for Renton Technical College; enrollment from Renton graduates nearly triples

Renton city officials heard on March 3 that the Renton Promise program has nearly tripled the number of Renton School District graduates enrolling at Renton Technical College (RTC) in its second year.

"When I started in this role at the college in 2022, we had approximately 50 Renton High School graduates come to RTC," said Yoshiko Harden, president of Renton Technical College. "Now in the second year of the Renton Promise program, that number has almost tripled."

Representative Steve Bergquist, who led the legislative effort that helped launch the program, told council members the goal was to "get students to take the first step" by assuring them "their college is free" and guiding them through financial-aid forms that often unlock other state or federal support.

Jessica Gilmer English, vice president for student services at RTC, described Renton Promise as a pilot, last-dollar program: students use federal financial aid and Washington College Grant dollars first, and Renton Promise "wraps up" remaining costs. The program allows part-time starts and multiple entry points across the year so students who are not ready to start in the fall can enter later quarters.

Program highlights include 123 students served in the second year, 11 completers so far, and a full-time college staff member dedicated to Renton Promise outreach and student support. English said the program draws largely from Hazen, Lindbergh, Renton and Tollefson/Talley high schools, is racially diverse, and includes students enrolling in both transfer and professional-technical programs such as automotive, medical assistant and welding.

Leaders said last year—s final-mile cost for all students who used the program totaled roughly $200,000. Bergquist told the council he has a bill in the legislature to secure matching state funds to make municipal contributions more sustainable.

City and college officials thanked the council for seed funding and said sustainability plans include continuing outreach, working with the Renton Technical College Foundation and community partners, and seeking state matches and private support. They emphasized evaluation and incremental adjustments as enrollments continue to grow.

Ending: The Renton Promise leaders asked the city to continue supporting the pilot while they refine operations and pursue state and philanthropic matches to sustain and expand the program.