Admissions & Aid

California College Promise Grant

 

California College Promise Grant (CCPG)

Beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, to apply for the CCPG, please complete the FAFSA if you are a U. S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. If you do not meet the citizenship qualification but meet the AB540  residency standards, please complete the California Dream Act Application to determine your eligibility. A manual California College Promise application is also available, see instructions below. California College Promise Grants begin in the summer semester of each academic year and must be renewed every year. California College Promise Grants are awarded for the current term in which the application is submitted and for following terms in the Financial Aid Year. However, California College Promise Grant is not awarded “retroactively” to prior terms in the Financial Aid Year. Other fees, for example, parking, student activities, health fee, and ID card fees, must be paid by the student.

***STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A BACHELOR'S PROGRAM MUST APPLY FOR THE CCPG FEE WAIVER THROUGH THE FAFSA OR CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT APPLICATION.***

Type of California College Promise Grant

California College Promise Grant A

Types of Aid Received

  • AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children)
  • TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)
  • SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income)
  • General Relief

Requirements

  • Students must show proof (i.e., copy of a CA-7 with current or last month’s date, agency verification, etc.);
  • Be certified by the California Department of Veterans Affairs or the National Guard Adjutant General for eligibility for a dependent's grant;
  • Be eligible as a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor or as a child of a recipient or a dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Be eligible as a dependent of a deceased law enforcement/fire suppression personnel killed in the line of duty.

California College Promise Grant B

Requirements

Meet the income standards* listed in the Total Family Income table below.

2023-24

Family Size Base Year Income
1 $19,140.00
2 $25,860.00
3 $32,580.00
4 $39,300.00
5 $46,020.00
6 $52,740.00
7 $59,460.00
8 $66,180.00
Each Additional Family Member $6,720
  • Students should be prepared to show previous federal tax return(s), W2s, or other income verification. These amounts are estimated at the time of publication and are subject to change.
  • Students without Social Security Numbers are encouraged to apply for a grant at the California Dream Act

*These standards are based upon the federal poverty guidelines, as published each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Under Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, the student or student's family must have a total income in the prior year that is equal to or less than 150% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines based on family size.

 

California College Promise Grant C

Requirements: Must have completed a FAFSA to see if you have an unmet need by the U.S. Department of Education. A Minimum Unmet Need of $1,104 is required.

Semesters Breakdown

Semester Awarded Class Fee Semester Waived
Summer Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Fall Fall, Winter, and Spring
Winter Winter and Spring
Spring Spring Only

How to Apply for the California College Promise Grant Electronically via FAFSA

  • Complete the FAFSA.

  • Check your Corsair Connect in 2-3 days to see if you were eligible for the California College Promise Grant.

  • No need to fill out the E-California College Promise Grant or the Manual California College Promise Grant, unless you are trying to apply for California College Promise Grant A or a Veteran's California College Promise Grant.

How to Apply for the California College Promise Grant Electronically via E-California College Promise Grant

  • Log in to Corsair Connect and select the "ENROLLMENT" tab on the upper right section

  • Choose semester

  • On the menu to the left, click on "Apply for California College Promise Grant"

  • If eligible, print California College Promise Grant Signature Page and submit with any requested documentation

How to Apply for the California College Promise Grant Manually

Fill out the form below and submit it to the financial aid office:

Refunds

If you were awarded a California College Promise Grant after you paid for classes, you will receive a refund. Contact the Cashier's Office for all questions regarding refunds at 310-434-4664.

Loss of California College Promise Grant Appeal Process

If you have been disqualified from receiving the California College Promise Grant for failing to meet the new GPA or Completion Rate standards for two consecutive major (Fall or Spring) terms, you are entitled to go through the appeal process for reinstatement of the California College Promise Grant. Students will be able to appeal the loss of the California College Promise Grant based upon the following verifiable circumstances:

  • Extenuating circumstances: cases of accidents, illness or other circumstances beyond a student’s control.

  • A change in a student’s economic situation.

  • Evidence that a student was unable to obtain essential support services.

  • Special consideration of factors for veterans and students in the following special programs: CalWORKs, EOPS, and DSPS

  • Students with disabilities who applied for, but did not receive accommodation, in a timely manner.

  • Significant academic improvement.

Note: Successful appeal for “enrollment priority” extends to the grant.

How to Appeal

  1. Complete the CCPG Fee Waiver Appeal

  2. Attach supporting documents and submit the appeal application by the following deadlines:

    • Fall 2023: December 8, 2023

    • Spring 2024: June 7, 2024

California College Promise Grant Satisfactory Academic Progress Information

Academic Progress Requirements

  • 2.0 GPA

  • Greater than 50% Completion Rate (CR)

Enrollment Fee Probation

California College Promise Grant recipient’s academic progress will be assessed after the conclusion of Fall and Spring semesters. It either the GPA or completion rate is lower than the requirement, the student will be placed on California College Promise Grant Enrollment Probation. 

Students will be expected to improve their GPA and/or their completion rate by next academic progress assessment.

Disqualification

Lack of Progress: If a student has two consecutive semesters (Fall or Spring) failing to meet the GPA and/or completion rate requirements, they will be placed on California College Promise Grant Disqualification.

Disqualification Process

Next Fall or Spring term

  • Exception 1: If a student has added a class in next fall or spring term, before being notified of second consecutive lack of progress semester, disqualification is pushed forward to next major (fall or spring term)

  • Exception 2: If a student has not yet completed 12 units, disqualification is pushed forward to the next major (fall or spring term)

  • Exception 3: Foster youth and previous foster youth (under age 25) are exempt from disqualification.

California College Promise Grant Reinstatement

  • Raise GPA and/or Completion rate

  • Student “sits out” two major terms

  • Appeal (ED Plan not required at SMC / Electronic Appeal)