San Diego Promise

Pathway #1 

First-Time to Any College Student*

*Students who completed college courses while in high school are eligble for the San Diego Promise.

Pathway #2

Returning SDCCD students who have not enrolled in courses for three or more semesters (not including summer).

Fall 2025 Applicants will NOT be admmited if they enrolled, earned, attempted or have any postsecondary experience during the following semesters:

• Summer 2025
• Spring 2025
• Fall 2024
• Summer 2024
• Spring 2024

Pathway #3

You may also qualify for the Promise Program if you identify with one of the following populations: 

• • Current or Former Foster Youth 
  • Veteran of U.S. Armed Forces 
  • Justice Involved 
  • Undocumented
  • San Diego College of Continuing Education Graduate or Alumni
  •  LGBTQIA+

Note: Applicants will NOT be admitted into the San Diego Promise if they previously earned a degree or certificate from a postsecondary educational institution, including vocational colleges.

 

To find out if you may qualify to participate in the San Diego Promise, please contact us via email us at [email protected] or call us at 619.388.3998 or text us at 619.800.3464.

• High school graduate* (H.S. Diploma or GED)
• Must be a California Resident or AB 540 eligible 
• Fall Applicants must have a 2025-2026 financial aid application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act) on file with San Diego City College. 
• Must be prepared to enroll in a minimum of 12 units for fall and spring semsters (Does not apply to students with DSPS accommodation on file with the Promise District Office).

How to Maintain Your Eligibility in the Promise Program

• First Year students must attend a Promise orientation (in-person and virtual options available)

• Enroll in at least 12 units for Fall & Spring semesters by the semester's add/drop deadline

• Submit a financial aid application (FAFSA or CADAA) every year you are in the program and make sure it is on file with San Diego City College 

• Attend a Campus Engagement Activity
• Attend a Promise Engagement Activity
• Submit a Progress Report during the Fall & Spring semesters
• Maintain a 2.0 college GPA 
• Meet with a counselor each semester 
• Complete a Comprehensive Education Plan by the end of your first year

Steps to Apply & Enroll at City College and the Promise Program

To stay on track with the application process, please reference the Promise checklist and complete the steps below:

Step 1: SDCCD Admissions Application

Interested students must first complete an Admissions application for San Diego City College at www.home.cccapply.org. 

Step 2: Financial Aid Application 

Fall 2025 Applicants: Complete a 2025-2026 financial aid application (FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov or the CA Dream Act at dream.csac.ca.gov). Students must submit a financial aid application as soon as possible using the school code for the college they will be attending. 

San Diego City College School Code for FAFSA or CA Dream Act applications: 

• 001273 

Step 3: Promise Application

Fall 2025 Applicants: The Promise Application opens January 22, 2025.

Students must only submit one Promise application. Submitting duplicate applications may delay the processing time of their application.

Click Here to APPLY NOW!

Note: The City College Promise Program will be communicating with students primarily through the email address provided on their SDCCD admissions application. In addition, all email communication will be available to view via the Message Center in students' mySDCCD portal.

Students are encouraged to reslove any Holds or items on their To Do List in their mySDCCD portal, as this may prevent their Promise application from being processed, prevent them from registering for their classes and/or delay or prevent the disbursement of financial aid they might be eligible for.

How to access the Message Center (step-by-step tutorial).

How to view the To-Do-List items (step-by-step tutorial).

Step 4: Complete City College New Student Online Orientation and Abbreviated Education Plan 

Complete a new student online orientation and meet with a college counselor to develop an Abbreviated Education Plan (the classes you'll take your first semester at City College).   

• NEW STUDENTS must complete the New Student Education Planning workshop on Canvas.  Click here to access the workshop. 

Promise students must also meet with a college counselor during their first academic year in college to create a Comprehensive Education Plan (your roadmap to completing your educational goals).

Questions about completing the New Student Online Orientation and Education Plan, call the City Promise Office for support at 619.388.3998 or text them at 619.800-3464.

Step 5: Attend Promise Orientation 

Students must attend a City College Promise orientation. In-person and virtual orientations are offered. Applicants who are eligible for the program through at least one of the 3 tracks will receive additonal information about the Promise orientation via email. 

Step 6: Register for Classes 

Students must register for a minimum of 12 units by the District Promise add/drop deadline.*

*Students that do no register in a minimum of 12 units by this deadline will be dismissed from the program, with the exception of students with an appeal or DSPS academic accommodation on file with the Promise District Office.

 

	Rachel Rojas, Student Services Technician
	Email: [email protected]
	Saedy McCoy, Project Analyst
	Email: [email protected]
	Crystal Rodriguez, Counselor
	Call 619-388-3998 to schedule an appointment with a Promise counselor.

 

	Promise Peer Mentors
	Ady  Melchor
	Email: [email protected]
	Rick Vazquez
	Email: [email protected]
	Vianney Camacho Aparicio
	[email protected]

 

 

Hours of Operation

• Monday: 8:30 am -5:00 pm
• Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• Friday: 8:30 am - 1:00 pm

Office Numbers & Email:

Call: (619) 388-3998 

Email: [email protected]

Google Voice (Text):  (619) 800-3464

City College Promise Communication Platforms

• Promise students, be sure to accept your invitation to join the City College Promise Canvas shell.
• Follow us on social media:
  • Instagram: @sdpromisecity
  • Facebook: sdpromisecity

Promise Peer Mentor Support 

Our San Diego Promise Peer Mentors are HERE FOR YOU! They can meet with you in-person or virutally via Zoom. Their goal is to help you navigate through your educational journey at San Diego City College!

They can assist you with information regarding the Promise application, program status, requirements, and eligibility.

They can also assist you with general questions, navigating your MySDCCD portal, Canvas, and registration (if you've already met with a counselor to create your Ed. Plan). 

Please Call 619.388.3998 OR Text 619.800.3464 to connect with a Promise Peer Mentor.