Governor Jerry Brown has awarded the Long Beach College Promise with a $5 million prize to help support higher education in Long Beach, city officials announced Friday.

The award recognizes innovations in higher education and rewards colleges and universities that have been working to improve students’ ability to achieve a bachelor’s degree over a four-year period.

The Long Beach College Promise achieved the highest score among the state’s 58 applicants, according to the city’s statement. All of California’s community colleges, CSU and UC campuses were eligible to apply and compete for the prize. Long Beach’s award is part of a $50-million fund designated in the 2014-15 State Budget.

The Long Beach College Promise’s aim has been to increase the success of local students in higher education through a partnership between the Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach City College and Cal State Long Beach (CSULB).

“I want to thank Governor Brown for his vision in creating the Innovation Award,” said CSULB President Jane Close Conoley in a statement. “If widely replicated, the College Promise has the potential to create a sea change in the way California delivers education to millions of students. Through the Promise, the needs of students take precedence over institutional silos and this seamless approach results in significant benefits for students and families. We estimate that by reducing time to degree a single semester, our students could defray about $10,000 in college related costs. This is a win-win for our region, and as we scale-up these practices, it will be a win-win for the state and nation.”

Mayor Robert Garcia said he was honored the Long Beach College Promise, which began in 2008, was being recognized.

“I’ve made education my top priority as Mayor, and I am honored and proud that Long Beach has received this recognition and these additional resources,” Garcia said in a statement. “This is further evidence that the Long Beach College Promise is an outstanding, effective program, and it’s also a great opportunity to expand and enhance the support we provide to our students.”