Understanding California College Promise Grant Eligibility Requirements

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG), previously known as the Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOG) Program, aims to provide California residents with access to Community Colleges by removing the financial barrier of enrollment fees. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the CCPG, its eligibility requirements, and other important information.

Purpose of the California College Promise Grant

The CCPG is designed to ensure that the cost of enrollment does not prevent eligible California residents from attending Community Colleges. It is based on financial need and waives the $46 per unit enrollment fee for those who qualify. It is important to note that the fee waiver is not a cash award.

Eligibility Criteria for the CCPG

There are three primary ways a student may qualify for the CCPG:

Recipient of Public Assistance: A student is currently a recipient of funds from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or General Assistance/General Relief (GA/GR), or if the student is a dependent, such funds are the sole source of income for the family.
Household Size and Annual Family Income: Meeting specific income eligibility requirements based on household size and annual family income.
Demonstrated Financial Need: A student has applied for other state and/or federal aid and has demonstrated $1,104 or more of financial need by completing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.

Determining Financial Need

Once the college receives the FAFSA results, the financial aid office determines CCPG eligibility. The student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is subtracted from their cost of attendance. If the remaining amount (‘financial need’) is $1,104 or greater, the student is granted a fee waiver.

Academic and Progress Requirements

To maintain eligibility for the CCPG, students must meet certain academic and progress standards:

Academic: Sustain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Progress: Complete more than 50% of your coursework.

Students who fail to meet these academic requirements may be disqualified from the CCPG but can petition for reinstatement. The petition form is available for download.

Application Process

To apply for the CCPG, students must complete either the FAFSA (if a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen) or the California Dream Act Application. The application must be renewed each academic year.

Key Application Details

The CCPG covers specific terms within the Financial Aid Year. For example, the 2025-2026 CCPG covers Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026.
The deadline to apply for the CCPG for 2025-2026 is May 29, 2026.
Students applying under the California Dream Act should use the Dream Application for CCPG eligibility.

Types of California College Promise Grants

It is important to understand that there are different types of CA College Promise Grants. To be considered for CCPG and additional financial aid funds, students should complete the FAFSA.

Retroactive Awards

The CCPG is not awarded “retroactively” to prior terms in the Financial Aid Year.

Important Considerations

Income Verification: Be prepared to provide income verification as part of the application process.
Regulations: The CCPG is subject to specific regulations.
Payment Deadlines: Students must adhere to payment deadlines at the time of registration to avoid being dropped for non-payment.

Additional Resources

Financial Aid Office: For any questions regarding CCPG eligibility, contact the Financial Aid Office.
Appeals and Special Circumstances: If there are special circumstances affecting eligibility, complete the appeal form, which can be found on the Appeals and Special Circumstances page. Ensure all required documentation is included with the appeal. Processing takes approximately 2-3 weeks.

Refunds

If you are eligible for a refund, contact the Cashier's Office for all questions regarding refunds at 310-434-4664.

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Consequences of Not Meeting Academic or Progress Standards

Students who do not meet the academic or progress standards risk losing their CCPG eligibility. These standards are assessed at the conclusion of Fall and Spring semesters.

Petition for Reinstatement

Students who have been disqualified for not meeting academic requirements for the CCPG can petition for reinstatement. The Petition form can be downloaded.

Additional Promise Programs

It's important to note that some colleges, like Southwestern College, may have their own Promise programs that waive enrollment fees. However, the eligibility requirements for these programs may differ from the CCPG.

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