The first year of community college will be free for thousands of Californians who qualify under a bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The "California College Promise" program waives the fees for a student's first year of school. Students must apply for the fee waiver and must be registered for at least 12 credits per semester.

The community college system estimates that 19,000 students would be eligible and it would cost the state $31 million a year.