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Promise Application for High School Class of 2025

 

This Columbia College Promise (CCP) Application is one of nine steps to qualify for up to two years tuition and fee-free at Columbia College. The CCP is designed to remove the economic barriers to education for graduating seniors from public and private high schools in the Columbia College service area, Calaveras Unified School District or Mariposa County Unified School District and both GED and CHSPE earners are also eligible if they enroll for the Fall semester that immediately follows the date that they earn their high school equivalency.

The CCP covers Columbia College (CC) enrollment fees for up to 30 units per academic year during a student’s first two years immediately after high school. Students are eligible to have their tuition and fees paid for up to four consecutive primary terms (Fall and Spring semesters) when they enroll in at least 12 units for the Fall semester that immediately follows their graduation from high school or earning their GED. Following completion of 24 total units in Fall and Spring, units taken during the summer term, up to a total of 30 per year, will also be reimbursed. Enrollment fees will cover $46/unit cost of classes and the CC Activity Fee, Health Fee, Student Representation Fee, and Student Center Fees, after receipt of any applicable state financial assistance when enrollment requirements are being met.

Continued eligibility will require enrollment in and completion of at least 12 units per semester along with having an approved comprehensive education plan on file with the Counseling department. Each student must apply for financial aid every academic year. Reduced unit requirement available for students meeting specific criteria.

The CCP does not cover individual course material fees, test or certification expenses, books, parking or other individual course expenses. The Columbia College Promise also does not cover non-resident tuition.

CCP Eligibility:
1. Be a resident of the Columbia College service area, the Calaveras USD Mariposa County USD who will graduate from a qualifying school by August 29th, 2025 or earn an equivalent to a Diploma (GED/HiSet) in the 2024-2025 academic year (Fall 2024 through Summer 2025) To see the complete list of the counties or cities eligible for Promise, click here.
 2. Enroll at CC for the Fall semester immediately following graduation.

Required Steps to Qualify:

  1. Apply to Columbia College via CCC Apply (https://www.gocolumbia.edu/admissions) 
  2. Complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA - www.fafsa.gov) or the 2025-26 Dream Act Application (CADAA - https://dream.csac.ca.gov).
  3. Complete this CC Promise Application.
  4. Complete the CC online college orientation (https://www.gocolumbia.edu/student_services/orientation.php) 
  5. Complete a comprehensive education plan (Degree Plan) with a CC counselor directly prior to starting or during the Fall 2025 semester (after you start attending CC full time).
  6. Update and refine your comprehensive Degree/Education plan at least once annually.
  7. Agree to an exit interview at any point if you do not continue with the CC Promise.
  8. Enroll in and maintain 12 or more units at Columbia College for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 (If needed, up to one Modesto Jr. College (MJC) course each semester can be included in the 12 plus units but MJC tuition and fees will not be paid for by the CC Promise). A reduced unit requirement may be available for students meeting specific criteria; ask the Counselor.
  9. Submit official high school transcripts to the Columbia College Admissions and Records Office with proof of graduation, or equivalent, by 8/29/2025.

Application Timeline: Highest priority will be to students who complete steps 1-5 by 6/6/25. The last day CC Promise applications will be accepted is 8/29/25 and all steps MUST be completed by the first week of the Fall semester - 8/29/25

Please fill in each field below. Those marked with an "*" are required. Other fields are optional but highly encouraged so we can help you with as many college readiness services as possible. 
Student Information
Student ID Number (W#) or last four digits of SSN *
First Name *
Last Name *
Middle Name
Date of Birth *
Age *
Local Address *
City *
State *
Zip *
County
Contact Phone *
Email Address (NOT High School Email) *
Gender Identity *
Social Security Number (NOT required)
Ethnicity *
If you identify as more than one ethnicity, please indicate here
Communication preference: Phone, text, email. List all that apply
How did you hear about Promise and/or EOC?
Comfortable reading and writing English? *
Are you a US citizen or legal permanent resident? *
Please indicate the status of citizenship *
Please mark yes or no for any special circumstances that apply to you.
Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health, learning, sensory, or health condition that might impact your education?
Learning Disability (IEP or 504 plan in high school, other LD diagnosis
Currently Incarcerated
Formerly Incarcerated
Currently experiencing homelessness
Foster Youth
Are you a veteran or a spouse or child of an active duty serviceman?

Financial Information:

Dependent Students MUST include Parent(s) income and household information on this application or provide the information at a later date.

In order to be considered for the Columbia College Promise, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit all required documents, or if a non-resident who meets certain criteria per State Law AB540, you will need to fill out an application for the Dream Act (CADAA).

 For the purposes of Financial Aid forms (FAFSA), household size and household income needs to be verified for all students. Most all new high school graduates are considered "dependent" for the purposes of FAFSA federal regulations, unless they meet specific Independent criteria- please see this chart to help you know if you are considered Dependent or Independent for Financial Aid/FAFSA. (https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency)
Do you meet the criteria of an independent student? (Same as FAFSA regulations https://www.gocolumbia.edu/trio/DEPENDENCYDETERMINATION.pdf) *
Household Size (Independent for FAFSA: include those claimed on your taxes only; Dependent for FAFSA: include those claimed on Parent(s) taxes). *
Income Bracket *
If you wish for Columbia College Staff to contact a parent/Guardian to assist with FAFSA / CADAA and verification of your household size and income, please provide a Parent's email address:
Parent Email

 

All CC Promise applicants will be offered hands-on assistance with the FAFSA in partnership with the EOC college specialist staff- EOC is the Educational Opportunity Center of the Motherlode Region, a local community grant designed to increase access to all colleges.

 Learn more about EOC services at https://www.gocolumbia.edu/trio/triomotherlodeeducationalopportunitycenter.php 
Authorization of EOC Services *

1. I hereby give authorization to Columbia College & EOC to obtain my academic transcript, biographical data, and financial aid information, including the status of my FAFSA or Dream Act application.   

2. I authorize Columbia College Financial Aid Office and EOC to release any information deemed necessary to verify the responses I have provided on the application. 
Please select one *

High School Information:
High School status as of this application: *