California Promise Program vs FAFSA - confused about qualifying for 2 free years of community college

U need to fill out the California College Promise Grant application. Its seprate from FAFSA. My son had same issue last yr.

There's some confusion here that I can help clear up. The "2 free years" program in California actually consists of two separate programs: 1. The California College Promise Grant (formerly BOG Fee Waiver) - This waives enrollment fees and has income requirements. 2. The California College Promise Program (AB 19/AB 2) - This is the newer "free college" program that varies by college and may not have income requirements, but often requires FAFSA/CADAA completion, full-time enrollment, and first-time student status. Since you've completed the FAFSA but don't qualify for federal aid, you need to check with your specific college about their implementation of the Promise Program. Some colleges automatically consider all FAFSA filers for their Promise Program, while others require a separate application. I recommend calling the financial aid office directly and specifically asking about the "California College Promise Program" (not the Grant).

my kid got the 2 free years but we had to do some stupid first year experience program too. they make you take this dumb class about how to succeed in college which was a waste of time. make sure ur checking ALL the requirements not just the financial stuff

The community college systems can be so frustrating to navigate! I work at a CA community college (not financial aid, though) and see students struggle with this all the time. The California College Promise Program requirements can vary by college - some do have first-time student requirements, GPA minimums, unit minimums, etc. One often overlooked solution: if you can't reach the financial aid office by phone, try emailing the financial aid director directly. Their contact info is usually on the college website. Mark your email as "URGENT" in the subject line. Also, most colleges have payment plans available if you can't pay the full amount upfront. You might be able to make a smaller initial payment to hold her classes while you sort out the Promise Program details.

I had the EXACT same problem last year with my son. The california system is a nightmare to figure out!!!! After weeks of stress, we finally got it sorted. Here's what you NEED to do: 1. Go IN PERSON to the financial aid office. Phone and email were useless for us. 2. Ask specifically for the "California College Promise Program Application" - not all staff know the difference between this and the Fee Waiver. 3. Bring proof that you completed the FAFSA (print out your confirmation) 4. Ask about the first-time student requirements and other eligibility criteria Some colleges automatically consider FAFSA filers for their Promise Program, but many DON'T. And yes, you can absolutely qualify even if you don't get federal aid through FAFSA! If you're getting desperate to reach them by phone, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it got me through to the financial aid office after days of failed attempts. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Seriously saved me so much stress.

Dont even BOTHER with emails or calls this time of year. Total waste of time. Financial aid offices are swamped right now and barely keeping up with the students standing right in front of them. If youre not on campus in person youre basically invisible until September

Financial aid counselor here (though not at a California CC). One important clarification: if your daughter is attending this fall as her first term, she is automatically considered a first-time student regardless of how many units she takes. The "first-time student" requirement for these programs almost always refers to students who haven't previously attended college, not students taking their first class. Also, make sure your daughter is enrolled in at least 12 units (full-time). Many Promise Programs require full-time enrollment to qualify. Some programs also have a residency requirement (must live in the college's district). Finally - and this is critical - most colleges offer a tuition deferment option while financial aid is being processed. This allows students to remain enrolled without paying upfront. Ask specifically about "tuition deferment pending financial aid" or "fee postponement.

Just want to add - community colleges almost NEVER drop students for non-payment without multiple warnings. The $1,600 due date is more of a suggested deadline than a hard requirement. Your daughter's enrollment is likely safe for at least the first week of classes, giving you time to sort this out. I've seen many parents panic unnecessarily about these payment deadlines. The college wants students enrolled, not turned away. The system is designed with flexibility, even if they don't advertise it.

the CA promise program is different at each college! my daughter goes to one that only gives 1 free year not 2. dont assume its the same everywhere

One last thing to consider: If you've experienced any change in financial circumstances since you filed the FAFSA (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), you can request a "professional judgment" review or "special circumstances" review from the financial aid office. This could potentially make you eligible for federal aid even if your initial FAFSA didn't qualify. For the California Promise Program specifically, focus on speaking with someone who specializes in that program rather than general financial aid staff. Larger colleges often have dedicated counselors for different programs. Keep us updated on how it goes!

As someone who just went through this exact situation with my daughter last semester, I want to reassure you that this is totally fixable! The California Promise Program is separate from FAFSA, and many families in your income range do qualify. Here's what worked for us: I made a list of specific questions before going in person (which everyone here is right about - in-person is the only way to get real help). Ask about: 1. Does your college have the California College Promise Program (AB 19) or just the Promise Grant? 2. What are the specific requirements at YOUR college (they vary!) 3. Can you get a fee deferment while the application is processed? 4. Do they need any additional documentation beyond your FAFSA? Also, bring a printed copy of your FAFSA confirmation and your daughter's acceptance letter. Having everything in hand speeds things up. The good news is that $87K for a family of 4 in SoCal is exactly the kind of situation these programs were designed to help with. You're not "too wealthy" - you're just caught in that middle-income gap where federal aid doesn't kick in but college is still a real financial strain. You've got this! The fact that you're advocating for your daughter this hard shows she's in good hands.

I'm a current community college student in California and went through this same nightmare last year! The confusion between the Promise Grant and Promise Program is SO real - even some staff members mix them up. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet: if your college participates in the California College Promise Program, they often have specific application deadlines that are separate from FAFSA deadlines. Some colleges have rolling deadlines, but others have hard cutoffs in spring or early summer. Also, when you go in person (which is definitely the right move), ask if they have any emergency aid or short-term loans available while you're waiting for the Promise Program to be processed. Many colleges have small emergency funds specifically for situations like this where students are caught between programs. Your income level should absolutely qualify you for help - don't let anyone make you feel like you make "too much." The whole point of these programs is to help working families who fall in that gap between federal aid and being able to easily afford college. Hang in there - it's stressful now but once you get connected with the right person who knows the system, it usually gets resolved pretty quickly!

I'm currently working as a financial aid advisor at a California community college, and I want to echo what others have said about going in person - it really is the most effective approach during this busy time of year. One additional tip that might help: when you go in, ask specifically to speak with someone who handles "AB 19" or "Assembly Bill 19" applications. This is the official name for the California College Promise Program, and using this term sometimes helps staff identify the right person to help you faster than saying "Promise Program." Also, many colleges have implemented a "same-day processing" policy for Promise Program applications when students bring all required documents. If your college offers this, you could potentially get approval and fee waiver the same day you apply. Your $87K income for a family of 4 in Southern California definitely falls within the range that most Promise Programs are designed to serve. The federal FAFSA thresholds are notoriously inadequate for California's cost of living, which is exactly why the state created these supplemental programs. One last thing - if the financial aid office is swamped, sometimes the admissions office or student services can help connect you with the right Promise Program specialist. Don't be afraid to ask multiple departments if the first one you visit is overwhelmed. You're doing everything right by advocating for your daughter. This will get resolved!

I went through this exact same situation with my twin daughters last year - the California Promise Program confusion is REAL! What saved us was going straight to the college's Promise Program coordinator (not general financial aid staff). At our college, they had a dedicated person who only handled AB 19 applications, and she knew all the ins and outs. When I called the main financial aid number, they kept transferring me around, but once I found the right person, everything was sorted in one meeting. Also - and this is important - some California colleges have a "Promise Plus" component that covers textbooks and supplies too, not just tuition. Make sure to ask about additional benefits when you're there! Your income situation sounds very similar to ours (family of 5 at $92K in the Bay Area), and we qualified for the full two years. The federal aid cutoffs are just too low for California's reality. Don't give up - this program exists specifically for families like yours who work hard but still need help with college costs. One more tip: if your college has a student success center or "Promise Program office" separate from financial aid, try there first. They often have shorter wait times and more specialized knowledge.

I'm a current California community college student who just went through this same process! The key thing that helped me was understanding that most colleges automatically review FAFSA applicants for their Promise Program, but some require you to specifically request consideration. When you go in person (definitely the right approach), bring your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) and ask them to check if you've been automatically considered for AB 19. Sometimes students get overlooked in the system, especially during busy periods. Also, don't stress too much about the payment deadline - I was in a similar panic last year and my college let me defer payment for almost a month while they processed my Promise Program application. Most California CCs are really understanding about these situations. Your income level should absolutely qualify you, especially with 4 family members. The whole point of the California College Promise Program is to help families exactly like yours who fall in that gap between federal aid eligibility and being able to easily afford college costs. One last tip: if your college has a "Welcome Center" or "One Stop" office, they sometimes handle Promise Program applications too and might have shorter wait times than the main financial aid office. Good luck!

I'm a parent who went through this exact situation two years ago in California, and I want to share what finally worked for us after weeks of frustration. The biggest breakthrough came when I realized that many California community colleges have what they call a "Promise Program Navigator" or "Student Success Specialist" who specifically handles AB 19 applications. These aren't the same as general financial aid counselors - they're trained specifically on the California College Promise Program requirements and processes. Here's what I wish I had known from the start: 1. Look for the college's "Student Success" or "Promise Program" webpage - it often has different contact info than the general financial aid page 2. Many colleges have specific "Promise Program Office Hours" where you can walk in without an appointment 3. Some colleges process Promise Program applications on Tuesdays/Thursdays only, so timing your visit matters Your $87K income for a family of 4 is absolutely within the typical range for Promise Program approval - don't let anyone suggest otherwise. The program was literally designed for working families who make "too much" for federal aid but not enough to comfortably afford college in California's expensive market. Also, ask about "conditional enrollment" - many colleges will let your daughter start classes while the Promise Program application is being processed, as long as you've submitted all required documents. You've got this! The system is confusing by design, but once you connect with the right specialist, it usually resolves quickly.

I'm a California community college administrator, and I want to add one crucial detail that hasn't been mentioned yet: make sure your daughter's enrollment status is correct in the college's system before you visit the financial aid office. Sometimes students are coded as "continuing" rather than "first-time" students if they took any dual enrollment or summer bridge courses while still in high school. This can disqualify them from AB 19 benefits even though they should be eligible. Ask them to verify her student status classification when you go in. Also, many colleges have a "Priority Registration and Payment" period that extends beyond the initial deadline for Promise Program participants. Your daughter's classes are likely protected even if you can't resolve this by next week. The fact that you completed the FAFSA puts you ahead of many families - that's often 80% of what's needed for Promise Program eligibility. The income thresholds for AB 19 are much more generous than federal aid, and your family size to income ratio should definitely qualify you. One final tip: if you hit roadblocks tomorrow, ask to speak with the "Dean of Student Services" or "Vice President of Student Affairs." Sometimes a call from administration can expedite things when regular channels are moving too slowly. Don't give up - your advocacy is going to pay off!