Promise Program FAQs | Saddleback College

I have specific questions about the Promise Program and the eligibility requirements. Is there someone I can contact for assistance?

Yes, please email Erlynne Ballo, the Success Coach for the fall 2024 cohort, with your questions about the Promise Program

How do I apply for the Promise Program?

The Promise Program uses the Saddleback College application to verify your eligibility for our Program. If you have not already done so, you can submit a fall 2024 Saddleback College application (opens 10/01/2023).

I am an undocumented student. Am I eligible for the Saddleback College Promise Program?

Yes, the Promise Program does accept students who are undocumented. Additionally, undocumented students do not need to qualify for DACA. After submitting the college application, undocumented students should apply for AB 540 Resident Status Exception in order to meet the Promise Program residency requirements.

It is also recommended that undocumented students complete the CA Dream Act Application for financial aid before March 2, 2024. Although the Promise Program requires students to complete a financial aid application before May 1, 2024, completing the CA Dream Act Application before March 2, 2022 increases a student's chances of receiving other financial aid from the state.

I received something called the California College Promise Grant. Does this mean I am accepted to the Saddleback College Promise Program?

Not necessarily. Although the California College Promise Grant and the Saddleback College Promise Program have similar names, they are two different things.

The California College Promise Grant or CCPG, formerly known as the Board of Governor's (BOG) Fee Waiver, is a type of financial aid that students qualify for through completion of their financial aid application. The CCPG waives the enrollment fees (currently $46/unit) that a student would usually pay during registration. The CCPG does not include the textbook voucher or other Promise Program benefits. Some student may qualify for the CCPG, but if they do not complete all other Promise eligibility requirements will not qualify for the Promise Program.

To be part of the Promise Program, students are required to complete a financial aid application, in addition to meeting the other Promise eligibility requirements. A student can qualify for both the CCPG and the Saddleback College Program.

How and when will I know that I am in the Promise Program?

Full-Time Promise Program students must be enrolled as full-time (in at least 12 units or the number of units approved by your DSPS counselor). Official email notices accepting students to the program will not be sent until after fall registration opens (Mid-May) when the program can confirm a student's full-time enrollment.

Part-Time Promise Program students must be enrolled between 6 and 11 units (or the number of units approved by your DSPS counselor) for the fall semester. Official email notices accepting students to the program will not be sent until after fall registration opens (Mid-May) when the program can confirm a student's full-time enrollment.

Prior to fall registration, students who complete steps 1 – 3 for the Full-Time or Part-Time Promise Program will receive a payment deferral. This payment deferral allows prospective Promise Program students to enroll in fall classes without submitting payment.

What exactly will be covered if I am accepted into this program?

If accepted to the Full-Time Promise Program, Saddleback College will cover:

Enrollment fees (currently $46 per unit)
Required Material Fees (if any)
Required Field Study Fees (if any)
Required Student Health Fee ($20 per semester)
Textbook costs (up to $300 - Students are issued a textbook voucher that can only be used at the Saddleback Bookstore for rental or purchase of used or new required textbooks)
Incidental costs (up to $100)
ASB Stamp ($10 per semester)
SC Student Representation Fee ($2)

If accepted to the Part-Time Promise Program, Saddleback College will cover:

Enrollment fees (currently $46 per unit)
Required Material Fees (if any)
Required Field Study Fees (if any)
Required Student Health Fee ($20 per semester)
Textbook costs (up to $200 - Students are issued a textbook voucher that can only be used at the Saddleback Bookstore for rental or purchase of used or new required textbooks)
ASB Stamp ($10 per semester)
SC Student Representation Fee ($2)

Is there evidence that Promise Program students benefit from the rigor of the program?

Students in the Promise Program get better grades than students who are not in the program. Also, due to the criteria of the program, Promise Program students successfully complete more courses, take more units, and are closer to graduating and/or transferring after one year in the program than other students population on campus.

What does "first-time college student" mean? I have taken some college classes while still in high school. Would I be eligible for the Promise Program?

"First-time college student" refers to any student who has never attended any college, including Saddleback, as a college student. If you have attended college after leaving/graduating high school, you would not be eligible for the Full-Time Promise Program.

If you took classes at Saddleback or any other college while you were still attending high school, you were considered a "Special K-12" student, meaning you were still primarily a high school student. Students who took college classes while still in high school (including Dual and Concurrent enrollment) are eligible for the Promise Program.

Part-Time Promise Program students do not have to be first-time college students to participate.

What Educational Goals are supported by the Promise Program?

Please make sure one of the four following Educational Goals is selected in your application.

Obtaining a 2-year degree without transfer
Earn a career technical certificate without transfer
Obtain an associate degree and transfer to a 4-year institution
Transfer to a 4-year institution without an associate degree

I am currently taking classes at Saddleback College. I want to start in the Promise Program at Saddleback College in fall, do I have to submit a new application for fall?

No, you do not need to submit a new fall Saddleback College application. Please submit an Interest Form to make sure that you receive Promise Program email reminders for fall.

I will be graduating from high school early / I am taking the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) to leave high school before my senior year. Will I be eligible for the Saddleback College Promise Program?

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.

I know that my family will not qualify for state or federal financial aid. Should I even bother applying for the Saddleback College Promise Program?

Yes. The Full-Time Saddleback College Promise Program does not have income requirements at this time. To be eligible, students must submit the FAFSA or the Dream Act application.

The Part-Time Saddleback College Promise Program requires that students qualify for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG). Only submission of a financial aid application can determine if a student is eligible for the CCPG.

How will I know if my Financial Aid File is complete or if I need to submit additional documents to the Financial Aid Office?

After the Financial Aid Office receives a student's financial aid application from the FAFSA or the CA Dream Act program, the office notifies students via email if additional documents are required to complete that student's financial aid file. Official notices from the Financial Aid Office are sent to students' Saddleback email addresses, which is accessible through MySite.

Students are able to view and submit their required additional documents to the Financial Aid Office via My Financial Aid Portal.

Will all applicants who meet your program requirements, be accepted into the Promise Program?

Space in the program is limited. Students who have met all eligibility requirements by the posted deadlines will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

What does "conditional acceptance" mean?

Conditional acceptance means students are guaranteed the benefits of the Promise Program as long as they register for at least 12 units for the Full-Time Promise Program or 6 units for the Part-Time Promise Program before the registration deadline. Conditionally accepted Promise Program students will receive a payment deferral. This will allow them to register for classes without paying out-of-pocket. Failure to register in at least the minimum number of units by the registration deadline will result in revocation of acceptance to the full-time program. The registration deadline is July 1.

I need to work full-time during the fall 2022 semester and will not be able to enroll in 12 units. How do I address this issue so that I can still participate in the Promise Program?

To be eligible for the Full-Time Promise Program, you must be enrolled in 12 units or more to be eligible. Keep in mind that it typically takes 15 units/semester to finish within two years. Please speak with a Saddleback College Counselor to see if full-time enrollment and full-time employment is in your best interest.

The Part-Time Promise Program may be a better fit for your work schedule. Please complete a financial aid application to see if you will qualify for the program.

My high school GPA is or was very low. Are there any GPA requirements associated with the Promise Program?

You are still eligible to apply for the Promise Program, however, you should be aware that to continue in the Promise Program during your second year of college, you will need to maintain a 2.0 GPA.

I am a student with a disability and I don’t think I can manage taking 12 units for the Full-Time Promise Program or 6 units for the Part-Time Promise Program. Is there a way I can still be eligible?

Yes, the Promise Program does admit students with verified accommodations, including reduced course loads. Please get in contact with the DSPS office to learn more about the accommodations that you may be eligible for at Saddleback College.

I am a student with a disability and I don’t think I can manage taking 12 units for the Full-Time Promise Program or 6 units for the Part-Time Promise Program. Is there a way I can still be eligible?

Yes, the Promise Program does admit students with verified accommodations, including reduced course loads. Please get in contact with the DSPS office to learn more about the accommodations that you may be eligible for at Saddleback College.

I am not going to graduate from high school in June due to unit deficiency. I plan to graduate in the summer. Am I eligible for the Promise Program?

In order to be eligible for the Promise Program, students need to have either a high school diploma or its equivalent and must complete the FAFSA or Dream Act application. It is important to note that if you do not obtain your high school diploma or its equivalent by the end of summer, you will no longer meet the requirements for the Promise Program.

I am eligible for book vouchers through other programs at Saddleback College. Will I also get the textbook voucher through the Promise Program benefit?

No, with the exception of the EOPS/CARE program*. A requirement of the program is that the Promise students must access all other financial assistance for which they are eligible before accessing Promise benefits. If all of your textbook costs are covered by book vouchers from other Saddleback College programs, then you will not receive an additional textbook voucher for books from the Promise Program.

*If you are a student who is in the College Promise program and EOPS/CARE Program you are required to completely spend your College Promise Book Voucher prior to utilizing your EOPS/CARE Book Voucher.

I am enrolled in Saddleback’s Automotive Technology program that requires us to buy our automotive tools, costing up to $2,000. If accepted into your Promise program, will the cost of these tools be covered by the program?

The Promise program will not cover the cost of these automotive tools. Students enrolled in our Automotive Technology program are not required to purchase automotive tools as a condition of enrollment. Some students qualify for financial support to purchase tools via industry-supported scholarships or professional tools from industry suppliers.

Can I be part of the Promise Program if I enroll in the Cosmetology or Esthetician Program?

No, the Promise Program does not cover any zero-unit programs including the Cosmetology and Esthetician Programs.

I am having a difficult time completing the 2023-2024 financial aid application. Is there help available?

Yes. The Financial Aid Office offers students support in-person, over the phone, and through Zoom Monday - Friday during their posted business hours

Does the Promise Program pay for summer classes?

The Full-Time Promise Program does not require students to attend summer classes, nor does it cover summer school.

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