Free year of college for local high school grads

SEATTLE -- It's a dream come true for students and families having a tough time paying for college.

South Seattle Community College will give all graduating seniors at Rainier Beach High School one year of free tuition.

It's thanks to the Year Promise scholarship.

The program already gives free tuition to graduates from Seattle's Cleveland High School and Chief Sealth High School.

The addition of Rainier was announced at a surprise assembly Wednesday.

The program is funded by the South Seattle Community College Foundation.

It also offers students academic support as they transition from high school to college.