Frequently Asked Questions
Please see below for frequently asked questions. For additional information on the San Diego Promise Program at San Diego City College, please contact our office:
Phone: call (619)388-3998 or text (619)800-3464
Email: [email protected]
Prospective Promise Students
Students who have are eligible for Promise and meeting all requirements will be notified via email once they have been added to the program.
Students will also receive an invitation on Canvas to join the "DS-CurrentPromise" Canvas Shell, an online resource used by Promise to communicate with students.
No, the San Diego Promise program is not income based.
The Promise Program is based upon academic history, whereas the Promise Grant (AKA CPG Waiver) is based on income.
No. To be eligible for the Promise Program, a student MUST submit a financial aid application for each year that they are in the program. Even if a student is not eligible for grants through FAFSA or the CADAA, information reported on the financial aid application is required for the Promise application to process successfully.
No, the CCPG is income based, only waives enrollment fees, and does not have a unit requirement. The San Diego Promise Program is not income based, provides up to two years of free enrollment and health fees, and has a minimum unit requirement of 12 units every Fall and Spring semester.
Students who do not enroll in a minimum 12 units may become ineligible for the program in future semesters. If you are unable to enroll in 12 units due to extenuating circumstances, please contact the Promise team to determine if you are eligible for a petition. DSPS students with waivers for reduced full-time enrollment are NOT required to enroll in 12 units. DSPS unit requirements are determined by a DSPS counselor.
Yes, students that fail to meet the 12 unit requirement and do not have an approved petition on file will be disqualified from the Promise Program. Students that are removed may be responsible for paying their enrollment and health fees.
Students must also have a financial aid application on file by September 4th, 2026 to remain eligible.
No. Promise does not retroactively cover tuition and health fee costs for students. Promise benefits only begin in the same semester that a student is activated. If a student is deactivated, Promise will not cover fees for the semester of deactivation unless the student is readmitted in the same semester. Additionally, Promise only covers 12 or more units over the Summer; students enrolled part-time will not receive Promise coverage.
Current Promise Students
If you have a question about your status in the Promise program, please contact the Promise Office at [email protected] or (619)388-3998.
In order to remain eligible for the Promise benefits, students must maintain full-time enrollment. Students with extenuating circumstances will have an opportunity to submit an appeal should they drop below 12 units. If you believe you will fall below the unit requirement, please contact your Promise Coordinator.
Students are not removed from Promise for failing courses; however, students with a GPA below 2.0 may lose eligibility for other forms of aid, such as the Pell Grant.
According to Assembly Bill 19 and Assembly Bill 2, students must maintain eligibility requirements throughout their first-year in order to be considered for second-year funding. To continue to receive support through the second year, students must have updated financial aid files for the second year, good academic standing, and meet program requirements. Only those students admitted to the Promise Program for their first year are eligible for consideration for second-year funding.
Students do NOT need to reapply to Promise to renew benefits for their second year. Students automatically get renewed for Year 2 if they:
- Maintain full-time enrollment
- Have an updated financial aid application on file for the year
- Maintain good academic standing
- Fulfill other requirements, such as completing required assignments
Yes, students can take classes at more than one campus (City, Mesa, or Miramar College). Similar to other forms of financial aid, students will receive the program benefits at their primary campus of record.
Note: Promise benefits cannot apply to courses taken outside of our District (i.e., Grossmont, Southwestern, Cuyamaca, Kumayaay, etc.)
San Diego Promise only covers full-time students enrolled in 12 or more units, including over the Summer semester. Students do NOT need to take Summer courses to remain eligible, however, they must be enrolled in 12 or more units OR have an approved petition on file to get Promise coverage over Summer.
Yes! 12 units is the minimum required units per semester, but the San Diego Promise program will cover enrollment and health fees for classes taken above that minimum.
Note: Promise only covers up to $46 per unit; Bachelor's fees will NOT be covered by the Promise Program.
Courses that receive a letter grade, including a "W," will still count toward a student's overall units. Courses dropped before a grade could be received no longer qualify, however. Students that drop below full-time (12 units) may be dropped from the program if they are unable to make up the units. Dropping from full-time to part-time status may also affect a student's financial aid award; students may be required to return a portion of their aid award if they fall below full-time.
Furthermore, students are unlikely to graduate in less than 3 years if they enroll less than full-time each semester.
Regardless of how long it takes a student to complete their degree or certificate, the Promise Program is only available for up to 2 years. This includes students with approved waivers. Students may still continue to be eligible for the Promise Grant, however.
Book grants appear in the Student Portal's Financial Aid folder as "AB19 Book Award." They are $200 per semester. Additionally, students will receive email communication when their book grants activate and close each semester.
Note: Full-time, book grant-eligible students will also get a book award over Summer if they maintain full-time equivalency.
Unused balances of book grants will only be disbursed to students in good standing. Dropping below full-time equivalency will disqualify students from receiving their unused book award balance.