Promise Program FAQs

Please fill out our interest form! The Promise Program uses the Saddleback College application to verify your eligibility for our Program. If you have not already done so, make sure to also submit a Saddleback College application.

Fall registration occurs in May and official acceptance emails for the Full-Time Promise Program are typically sent out in June, following fall registration. This timing allows the program to confirm a student's full-time enrollment status and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements. 

To qualify as a Full-Time Promise student, students must be enrolled in a full-time course load, which means at least 12 units or a number approved by their DSPS counselor, and they must also meet all program requirements.

Yes, undocumented students who submit the CA Dream Act Application and apply for AB 540 Resident Status Exception can join the Promise Program. An undocumented student Promise Program must still meet the other eligibility requirements for the Full-Time Promise Program to join, i.e. be a first-time college student, enroll full-time, etc.

Yes, students with verified accommodations, specifically reduced course load accommodations can participate in the Full-Time Promise Program. Please get in contact with the DSPS office to create educational accommodation so that you can participate in the Promise Program.

The Full-Time Promise Program does not cover summer school tuition and fees, nor does it require students to attend summer classes. Students who enroll in summer classes must pay their summer fees to remain eligible for fall and spring.

No, the Promise Program does not pay for the college parking permit. Students must purchase a parking permit through MySite > My Information > Parking.

Some students may receive different forms of financial aid that make the parking pass free. 

Yes, a "first-time college student" is someone who hasn't attended college after leaving high school. If you took college classes while in high school, you're classified as a "Special K-12" student. These students, including those in Dual and Concurrent enrollment programs, are eligible for the Full-Time Promise Program.

Students can qualify for both the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) and the Saddleback College Promise Program. Although similar in name, the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) and the Saddleback College Promise Program are two distinct programs that require a Financial Aid Application.

The CCPG, previously known as the Board of Governor's (BOG) Fee Waiver, is financial aid granted upon completion of a financial aid application. It covers enrollment fees (currently $46/unit) and parking fees, but does not cover textbook vouchers, health fees, or student activities fees.

To join the Full-Time Promise Program, students must fulfill financial aid application requirements and other eligibility criteria. 

Yes, please work with the Saddleback College Admissions and Records office to ensure that your high school graduation date will reflect the date you earn your high school equivalency certificate.

Yes, the Full-Time Promise Program accepts students regardless of financial aid eligibility. To join, students need to submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application and have it received by Saddleback College (school code: 008918).

For the Part-Time Saddleback College Promise Program, eligibility hinges on qualifying for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), determined solely by submitting a financial aid application.

To be eligible for the Full-Time Promise Program, you must be enrolled in 12 units or more to be eligible. Only students who receive accommodations through DSPS are eligible to enroll in less than 12 units and receive Full-Time Promise Program benefits.

The Part-Time Promise Program may be an option for you. Please complete a financial aid application to see if you qualify for the CCPG waiver and view the Part-Time Promise Program FAQs below. 

Students in the Part-Time and Full-Time Promise Program receive free tuition and assistance with the cost of textbooks. Students in the Full-Time Promise Program must enroll in at least 12 units per semester. 

The Part-Time Promise Program allows students to enroll in as few as 6 units and still be eligible for tuition and textbook support. Unlike the Full-Time Promise Program, students must qualify for financial aid, specifically the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), to be eligible for the Part-Time Promise Program.

Please view the chart below to compare the differences between the program requirements.

Please view the chart below to compare the differences between the program requirements.

The Part-Time Promise Program accepts students on an ongoing basis. Once a student’s eligibility is determined, they are sent a welcome email to their Saddleback email accounts.

Part-Time Promise Program students will have their summer registration fees covered by the CCPG waiver. The Part-Time Promise Program will cover any remaining registration fees and up to $100 during the summer term if the student enrolls in at least 3 units.

Yes, the Part-Time Promise Program does not require eligible CCPG students to be in their first year of college. The Part-Time Promise Program can help all eligible CCPG students regardless of their prior education experience or academic achievements.

If a student in the Part-Time Promise Program loses eligibility for the CCPG waiver due to academic or progress probation, they will remain covered by the program for the semester the waiver was removed. However, to remain eligible beyond this extension, the student must demonstrate academic improvement during the semester the waiver was removed and submit a petition for Loss of CCPG through the Admissions and Records office.

This depends on whether a student meets the Full-Time Promise Program eligibility criteria, including first-time freshman status and enrolling in at least 12 units per semester. 

Part-time Promise students can enroll in 12 or more units per semester, but the minimum number of units required to be eligible for the Program is 6 units per semester.

To maintain eligibility in the Full-Time Promise Program, students must:

• Enroll in at least 12 units each semester. 
  • Students with DSPS accommodation must enroll in the minimum number set by their counselor each semester.
• Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Complete 24 units in the first the first two semesters in the Promise Program
• Renew their financial aid application for each new academic year.

To maintain eligibility in the Part-Time Promise Program, students must:

• Enroll in at least 6 units per semester and (optionally) 3 units during the summer.
• Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Complete 6 units in the first two semesters 
• Renew their financial aid application for each new academic year.
• Continue to qualify for the California College Promise Grant

No, you can meet with any counselor from any of Saddleback College's counseling offices — including General Counseling, EOPS, DSPS, Transfer, Honors, or VETS — to satisfy your counseling requirement for the Promise Program.

You can use your bookstore voucher to purchase new or used textbooks and materials that are required for your classes. This can be done either online or in-person.

In-Person: Visit the Saddleback College Bookstore on the first floor of the Student Services Center and use your student id number at checkout.

Online: Visit the Saddleback College Bookstore website to make your purchases. On the checkout page, select the “Book Voucher” checkbox and enter in your student ID number to access your voucher funds. If it’s your first time purchasing online, you will need to create an account first.

Important Information

Your voucher can be used to purchase textbooks and materials listed as required on your course syllabus.

Tip for Success: Avoid waiting until the last minute to buy your textbooks. Shopping early helps you avoid long lines and ensures better availability of more affordable options, such as used or rental books to stretch out the voucher funds.

Reminder: Make sure to complete your purchases before your voucher expires to take full advantage of the funds available to you.

Yes, please complete a Promise Program Special Request form to increase the amount of funds on your textbook voucher.

Yes, students must upload a copy of their receipt and syllabus showing that the material is required for their class to the Promise Program Special Request form. The program cannot provide reimbursement for materials without a receipt or materials that are not required for the class. 

Please email the Saddleback Bookstore at 0296mgr@follett.com and let them know which book is needed, including the course you are enrolled in at IVC and the ISBN of the book. Please mention that you are a Saddleback College Promise student. They will request the book so that you can use the voucher funds.

Unfortunately, unused bookstore vouchers do not roll over to subsequent semesters, nor can they be exchanged for cash. Please ensure you utilize your voucher within the designated period, as any remaining balance will expire at the end of the term. 

While bookstore vouchers do not roll over and cannot be exchanged for cash, enrolling in Zero Textbook Classes (ZTC) offers a significant advantage. ZTC classes utilize Open Educational Resources (OER) and other free materials, eliminating textbook costs altogether. These resources are designed to be freely accessed and shared, reducing your overall educational expenses. ZTC courses often use materials such as library ebooks or curated content under Creative Commons licenses, ensuring you have all necessary resources at no additional cost.

We encourage exploring ZTC classes as they can be an excellent way to manage costs while achieving your educational goals. Please consult with a Saddleback College counselor to identify which ZTC courses align with your certificate or degree pathway.