Free Community College | Official Website (2024)

Did you know that you may qualify for free community college in California? On this page, you will find information on the California College Promise Program and the California College Promise Grant - both of which provide eligible students with free tuition.

What is the California College Promise Program?

The California College Promise Program provides free tuition to students who attend a community college for the first two years of their education.

To qualify for the California College Promise Program, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be a California resident or AB 540 eligible student (the California Dream Act waives enrollment fees for non-resident “Dreamers”).
  • You must be a full-time student.
  • You must be a first-time student.

Not all community colleges provide free tuition as part of the California College Promise Program. Accordingly, application processes vary between institutions.

If you’re interested in taking part in the Promise Program, take the following steps:

  1. Find a school offering free tuition via the Promise Program. This community college locator can help.
  2. Confirm your school’s eligibility criteria for the Promise Program. Eligibility criteria may include:
    • Proof of California residency (or Dream status)
    • Confirmation of first-time student status and full-time enrollment
    • Completion of the CADAA or FAFSA
    • Proof you aren’t eligible for the California College Promise Grant (see below for more information)
  3. Apply via your school. Most schools offer an online application process and (assuming they participate in tuition-free Promise Programs) will give you the option to indicate whether you want to take part in the program during the application process. For example, California’s Coast Colleges use this proprietary online system.

If you take part in your school’s Promise Program, you must maintain eligibility by maintaining a grade point average (GPA) minimum of 2.0 and maintaining your full-time status. You may be required to meet with a counselor to outline your educational plan and ensure you are keeping or exceeding the GPA minimum.

What Is the California College Promise Grant?

The California College Promise Grant pays community college fees for low-income California residents attending community college in the state.

This grant is available regardless of the number of units the student takes (e.g., you aren’t cut off after two years). Students are eligible for this grant even if they’ve been studying already.

To qualify for the California College Promise Grant, you must be a California resident or AB 540 eligible student (the California Dream Act waives enrollment fees for non-resident “dreamers”). Further, you must demonstrate financial need.

If you have any questions regarding this or other state issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.

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Free Community College | Official Website (2024)

FAQs

Is CCC college free? ›

The California College Promise program allows California Community Colleges (CCC) to provide free tuition —but only to students who qualify. The California College Promise program requires students to reapply every academic year.

What is the income limit for free community college in California? ›

Applications
Family SizeBase Year Income
1$20,385
2$27,465
3$34,545
4$41,625
4 more rows

Why did I get rejected from community college? ›

So, if you left a four-year college with a GPA of less than 2.0, you could be rejected from community college on those grounds. Most community colleges have a minimum course grade and overall GPA requirement for transfer students, so you want to make sure you find out what it is before you apply.

Do you get 2 free years of community college in California? ›

The California College Promise Program provides free tuition to students who attend a community college for the first two years of their education.

Who qualifies for free community college in California? ›

To qualify, they must be first-time, full-time students and taking at least 12 units per semester. The Golden State is already paying for one year of free tuition at California community colleges.

What state has free community college? ›

California. The state of California offers one year of free community college tuition to students who are enrolled full-time. Students must submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act to qualify.

How to get 2 years free college in California? ›

The California College Promise Program is a program that provides free tuition to students who attend California community colleges for the first two years of their education.

At what age is college free in CA? ›

Education Code 89330 authorizes the popular Cal State system to provide free tuition for senior citizens. Each campus must grant tuition waivers to California residents aged 60 and older.

What are the pros and cons of free college? ›

The benefits of free college include greater educational access for underserved students, a healthier economy, and reduced loan debt. Drawbacks include higher taxes, possible overcrowding, and the threat of quality reduction.

What if no college accepts me? ›

You can look into other colleges that are still accepting applications, consider taking a gap year, look into attending a local community college, or plan to apply again the following year. We know that these things may not feel ideal, but we encourage you to keep your mind open.

Can community college raise your GPA? ›

There are two reasons why high school students should take community college classes during their high school years. The first reason is to boost the GPA for every A earned in a college course. One college course in any particular term equates to one year of high school credit (10 credits).

Can I ask a college why I was rejected? ›

Ask for more information.

College decisions are usually pretty final. But it never hurts to send an email to the admissions office and ask why you weren't accepted and if there is anything you can do to appeal the decision.

Who qualifies for California Promise Grant? ›

Be classified as a resident of California or be a classified as a non-California resident eligible for tuition exemption AB 540 or AB 1899 (by Admissions and Records), have a "T" or "U" visa., or be a have a homeless youth determination from the Financial Aid Office at your college.

How many states have free community college? ›

As of 2022, 20 states provide tuition-free community college, meaning that if you are a resident of that state and meet certain requirements, you can attend classes free of charge. But you may still be responsible for other costs, like housing, books, and transportation.

How much does it cost per year to attend a California community college? ›

$1,510 is the cost of in-state tuition for the average community college in California. $16,670 is the total cost to live on-campus. $9,970 is out-of-state tuition. For 4-year public institutions, annual in-state tuition and fees total $9,860.

Can you go to Fresno City college for free? ›

Most students qualify for the California Promise Grant and attend for free. A multitude of services, scholarships, and grants are available to help you complete your education debt free.

Is community college free in San Diego? ›

The San Diego Promise provides qualified students at San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges with a free community college education for up to two years, book grants to those who demonstrate financial need, and engages all students in a learning community promoting academic success.

Are all California community colleges free? ›

As of the current semester, all 116 California community college campuses offer some form of tuition-free education. Thus far, it's been well-received by students like Paige Stevens, a returning student at Folsom Lake College. “I didn't even know about it.

Is Fresno City college free? ›

Free Tuition

Be a first-time college student and California resident. Students who take college courses while still in high school are considered first-time college students. Enroll in and complete a minimum of 12 units each semester at Fresno City College (or any California Community College campus)

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