Promise Program

Saddleback College promises to pay the first two years of college for eligible students. Registration fees, support for book costs, health fee, and ASB stamp are included!

Information for Students: Fall 2023

Open recruitment for the Promise Program has closed. Please complete a Promise Program Special Request form for program consideration. Students must complete all five steps of the To-Do List before acceptance to the Promise Program.

For participating students, Saddleback College promises to pay for the first two years of college. Registration fees, support for book costs, health fee, and ASB stamp are included!

Who Is Eligible?

Students must satisfy the following three criteria to be eligible for the Saddleback College Promise Program:

Be first-time college students; this program is for students who have never attended college (Students who have taken college classes before high school graduation are still eligible for the Promise Program including Dual/Concurrent enrolled students and Special Admit students)
Be California residents or be eligible by AB 540/Dream Act status.
Be willing to attend Saddleback College full-time.

Acceptance Requirements

Eligible students who complete the following steps before May 1, 2023 will receive first consideration for acceptance into the Promise Program. Acceptance is awarded on a first come, first served basis and as space in the program allows:

Apply to Saddleback College for the fall 2023 term or have an active application on file. Saddleback must be selected as the "College of Record"
Confirm Resident Status as California residents or be eligible by AB 540/Dream Act status
Submit the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act and have it received by Saddleback College (school code: 008918)

To be fully accepted into the Saddleback College Promise Program, students must also:

Enroll full-time each semester including:
- Math and/or English during the first semester and both completed by the end of your first year

Requirements to enter Year 2 of the Promise Program (Fall 2024)

See a counselor once per semester (by October 2023 and by April 2024)
Complete 2024-25 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and submit all required financial aid documentation by June 1, 2024
Complete at least 24 units by the end of the spring 2024 semester
Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 by the end of the spring 2024 semester
Be on track to achieve the math and English classes required for the student’s academic goal

If you have questions about eligibility or the requirements you must complete to be part of the fall 2023 Promise Program cohort, please email SCpromise@saddleback.edu.