San Diego Promise
Enjoy up to 2 Years of Tuition-Free Education at City College
Application Deadline Extended to August 22, 2022
Classes Start August 22, 2022
The San Diego Promise is a two-year completion program for recent high school graduates enrolled full-time (12 units per semester during Fall and Spring). The program provides up to two years of free tuition and health fees to eligible students. Participation in the Promise program comes with a variety of benefits: access to a peer mentor, specialized counseling and guidance support, and additional campus engagement opportunities.
We are City
We are located in vibrant, downtown San Diego. Our students come from all walks of life to create their personal pathways to a successful future in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Our faculty members are experts in their fields and they choose to teach at City because they believe in our students and our college.
We are proud to be one of the fastest growing community colleges in the nation. We are this way because our students and our community understand that a community college education is one of the best ways to get ahead in life.We invite you to learn about City College. Explore our website and see the programs and services we offer, the exciting events that take place here on campus, and the magic that happens everyday.
Why San Diego Promise at City?
Students participating in the San Diego Promise will receive the following:
- Up to two years of FREE tuition and health fees (Covered for Fall and Spring. Note: Student Parking, Semester Pass, and Student Rep Fees are NOT included).
- Individualized counseling and guidance support to help you complete your educational goals.
- Access to Peer Mentors.
- Book grants for eligible students (Dependent upon student’s financial need).
- Must be a first-time to college student*
- Must be a class of 2022 high school graduate** (H.S. Diploma or GED) OR identify with one of the following groups:
- Foster Youth Student
- Veteran of U.S. Armed Forces
- Formerly Incarcerated Student
- Undocumented Student
- Must be a California resident or AB 540 eligible
- Must complete a 2022-2023 financial aid application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act). Include appropriate school code (San Diego Mesa College 001275) and ensure full name, birth date, and social security number (if applicable) exactly match SDCCD admissions application and financial aid application.
- Must be prepared to enroll in a minimum of 12 units each semester (does not apply to students with disability (DSPS) accommodation on file)
*Student who completed college courses while in high school are eligible
** First time to college, class of 2021 high school graduates (H.S. Diploma or GED) maybe eligible1
- Up to two years of free tuition and health fees
- Books grants for eligible students
- Access to Peer Mentors/Success Coach
- Individualized counseling guidance support to complete your education goals
- Complete a 2022-2023 Promise Application
- Attend a Promise orientation
- Sign a Promise contract
- Enroll in a minimum of 12 units each semester
- Maintain a 2.0 college GPA
- Meet with a counselor each semester
- Complete a comprehensive education plan.
*Students who meet the program requirements in their first year may be eligible for a second year
Students who complete steps 1-4 by June 17 for priority registration and admission to the program.
- Priority Application Deadline | June 17, 2022
- Deadline to sign a Promise Contract | August 29, 2022
- Enroll in 12 Units Deadline | September 4, 2022
STEP 1: SDCCD ADMISSIONS APPLICATION
Interested students must first complete a Fall 2022 Admissions application to San Diego City, Mesa, or Miramar College at sdccd.edu/apply.
STEP 2: FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION
Complete a 2022-2023 financial aid application (FAFSA or the Dream Act). Students should submit a financial aid application as soon as possible using the school code for the college they will be attending in the fall.
City College code for FAFSA or Dream Act applications: 001273
STEP 3: PROMISE APPLICATION
Interested students must complete a Promise application for the 2021-2022 academic school year. Promise applications for the 2022-2023 academic year are due by August 15, 2022. Students must only submit one Promise application. Submitting duplicate applications may delay the processing time of their application.
Note: We will be communicating with students primarily through the email address provided on their SDCCD admissions application. In addition, all email communication will be available to be viewed via their message center in their mySDCCD portal. Any pending items related to their Promise application will appear on their To-Do-List in their mySDCCD portal.
- How to access the message center (step-by-step tutorial).
- How to view the To-Do-List items (step-by-step tutorial).
- Complete the San Diego Promise Application
STEP 4: ONLINE NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION & ABBREVIATED EDUCATION PLAN
Complete an online new student orientation and meet with a college counselor to develop an education plan (a roadmap to graduation) as soon as possible.
For assistance with completing the new student orientation and education plan, please visit the Counseling Office website: sdcity.edu/students/counseling
STEP 5: PROMISE CONTRACT & PROMISE ORIENTATION
Students must sign a Promise contract and attend a Promise orientation to secure their space in the program. The Deadline to sign a San Diego Promise Contract is August 29, 2022.
Information regarding the Promise contract and Promise orientation will be provided to students on a rolling basis starting May 1, 2022.
STEP 6: REGISTER FOR CLASSES
Students must register for a minimum of 12 units by September 4, 2022.
Students that do not register in a minimum of 12 units by September 4, 2022 will be dismissed from the program, with the exception of students that have DSPS accommodation on file.
For questions regarding the steps outlined above, please contact our Outreach offices:
Questions? We're happy to help!
Connect with our support team, via Cranium Café, to get the answers to any questions you may have about San Diego Promise program eligibility and requirements. Live Virtual Support hours are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
