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Promise Programs

What is the Los Rios Promise Program?

The Los Rios Promise Program covers the cost of tuition for eligible students, up to 15 units. You may also hear it referred to as California Promise or AB-19 (Assembly Bill 19) and AB-2 (Assembly Bill 2).

Costs Covered

The Promise Program covers:

Tuition fees (the cost of your classes) for up to 15 units, at $46 per unit

Costs Not Covered

The Promise Program does not cover:

Health Services fee
Student Representation fee
Books
Transportation
Living expenses

Eligibility Requirements

First-time college students who are California residents (learn about residency requirements), complete a CCCApply application for enrollment to a Los Rios college, and complete a Financial Aid application – either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) – are eligible for the Los Rios Promise Program.

The applications must be completed and processed by the deadline listed under Tier 1 or Tier 2 on this page. You will receive an email from CCCApply and Department of Education (if you submitted a FAFSA) or California Student Aid Commission (if you submitted a CADAA) once your application has been processed. Please plan accordingly and complete the applications at least three weeks before the deadlines.

Second-year eligibility is reviewed for all Los Rios Promise Program students who received their first year free under this program and is contingent upon program funding.

Defining "First-Time" Students

Students entering college directly from high school, students who attended adult school to complete their high school graduation requirements, or students who have never attempted college units are considered "first-time" students.

Am I still a first-time student if I earned college credit while in high school or while attending adult school to complete my high school education?

Yes! College credit earned while in high school (Advanced Education) or adult school does not affect your eligibility for the Los Rios Promise Program as long as you haven't yet earned a degree or certificate. However, students who earn a college certificate or degree while in high school would not be eligible for this tuition waiver.

How to Get Los Rios Promise Program Funds

Submit (and receive confirmation of process) a CCCApply application for the term for which you are applying and the 2022-2023 FAFSA or 2022-2023 CADAA by dates listed in Tier 1 or Tier 2.
Complete the Los Rios Promise Program Commitment Contract by the dates listed in Tier 1 or Tier 2. New, first-time students will receive a notification in their eServices Message Center regarding how to complete the commitment contract.
Enroll in 12 or more units by the dates listed in Tier 1 or Tier 2. No more than 15 units will be covered.
1. To use Los Rios Promise funds to pay for your summer tuition fees, you must enroll in 12 or more units for the summer term by the dates listed in Tier 1 or Tier 2. No more than 15 units will be covered.
Complete each semester with a minimum 2.0 GPA and a 66.67% completion rate.

Tier System

The following applies only to the Fall 2022 semester. Criteria and deadlines for Spring 2023 will be posted by August 1, 2022.

Tier 1

Student eligibility is based on funding availability.

Submit (and receive confirmation of processing) the CCCApply application for the term for which you are applying and the 2022-2023 FAFSA/CADAA by April 1, 2022.
Complete the Los Rios Promise Program Commitment Contract by August 1, 2022.
Enroll in 12 or more units by the semester deadline
- Fall 2022: September 6, 2022
- Spring 2023: January 30, 2023

If you don't complete the FAFSA/CADAA by April 1, 2022, then you may still be considered for Tier 2.

Tier 2

Student eligibility is based on funding availability.

Submit (and receive confirmation of processing) the CCCApply application for the term for which you are applying and the 2022-2023 FAFSA/CADAA by June 1, 2022.
Complete the Los Rios Promise Program Commitment Contract by August 1, 2022.
Enroll in 12 or more units by the semester deadline
- Fall 2022: September 6, 2022
- Spring 2023: January 30, 2023

Eligibility Requirements for Second Year of Los Rios Promise Program

The second year of eligibility for the 2022-2023 academic year is reviewed for all students who received the waiver in their first year under the Los Rios Promise Program. Second-year eligibility is contingent upon funding. Second-year students will automatically be awarded if they:

Submit the FAFSA/CADAA
Maintain full-time enrollment (12 units required, 15 recommended)
Maintain a 2.0 GPA, with a 66.67% completion rate

Eligibility for Mid-Year, First-Time New, and Second Year Recipients

Students are only eligible for the Los Rios Promise Program for two award years beginning with their initial enrollment in the summer/fall term. Students whose first enrollment is the spring term will only be eligible for 1.5 years (not the full two years), provided that they meet the enrollment and FAFSA completion deadline.

To apply for the Los Rios Promise Program for a second year, students must complete a new FAFSA/CADAA and be enrolled in 12 or more units on the enrollment deadline. Students who are transferring in from another California community college must contact the Financial Aid office. Students transferring from a college or university outside of California are not eligible for the Los Rios Promise Program.