For many students walking across campus this week, the Cerritos Complete Program represents more than two years of free tuition.
For some, it is a doorway into higher education they once believed was out of reach. For others, it is the foundation for long term academic and professional goals. For families, it is a moment of pride that spans generations.
Among those students is Aransa Ortega, a nursing major who said she never imagined herself attending college when she was in high school. Standing among crowds of students, families and faculty, Ortega said the moment felt surreal.
“I’m a little nervous because there’s a lot of people here,” Ortega said. “But I’m glad I’m accomplishing two years in college. I didn’t see myself going to college back in high school, so it’s a pretty good accomplishment.”
Ortega plans to remain at Cerritos College through the next spring and fall semesters to complete three remaining classes before transferring to a four-year university. She said the program gave her the structure and support she needed to stay on track academically.
Behind her accomplishment stands her grandmother, Francisca González, who watched the celebration with visible pride. González said seeing her granddaughter reach this point is one of the most meaningful moments for their family.
“I feel very proud,” González said. “For her to move forward is what I want most.”
For González, Ortega’s progress represents the fulfillment of a dream she always hoped the next generation would achieve.
The Cerritos Complete Program, which offers two years of free tuition, priority enrollment and access to campus resources, has become a critical pathway for students in the district.
The program aims to reduce financial barriers, increase retention and support first-generation college students as they transition into higher education.
For Rashawn Fatima, the program provided the stability and resources she needed to plan her academic future with confidence. Fatima said the benefits extended far beyond the financial support.
“This program actually provided me a lot of resources on campus, especially priority enrollment,” Fatima said. “It also allowed me to save for a four-year university because two years were free for us.”
Fatima is still deciding which UC or private university she will transfer to, but she already has a clear plan for what comes next. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she intends to pursue a master’s degree immediately so she can take her CPA exams.
Her goal, she said, is to enter the accounting field with strong credentials and a clear professional direction something she believes the program helped make possible.
As students celebrated their progress, faculty and staff emphasized that the program’s impact extends beyond academic milestones. For many participants, Cerritos Complete provides a sense of belonging, stability and encouragement during a period of transition that can often feel overwhelming.
For Ortega, Fatima and thousands of others, the program has become a launching point not just toward a degree, but toward a future they once viewed as uncertain or unattainable.
As families gathered for photos and students reflected on their journeys, one theme echoed across campus Cerritos Complete is not just helping students get through college it is helping them move forward.
