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 19th, 2024 or earn an equivalent to a Diploma (GED/HiSet) in the 2023-2024 academic year (Fall 2023 through Summer 2024). 
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 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA - www.fafsa.gov) or the 2024-25 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 2024 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 2024 and Spring 2025 (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 8/19/24.

Application Timeline: Highest priority will be to students who complete steps 1-5 by 6/7/24. The last day CC Promise applications will be accepted is 8/19/24 and all steps MUST be completed by the first day of the Fall semester - 8/19/24

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. 

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)

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

 Learn more about MEOC services at https://www.gocolumbia.edu/trio/triomotherlodeeducationalopportunitycenter.php 

1. I hereby give authorization to Columbia College & MEOC 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 MEOC to release any information deemed necessary to verify the responses I have provided on the application. 

High School Information:

Promise Eligibility Requirements Acknowledgement:

1. I agree to respond to all correspondence (emails, phone calls) from Columbia College & MEOC.

2. I understand that if I withdraw from all of my classes or drop below 12 units I will jeopardize my eligibility for the Columbia College Promise.

3. I understand that I must maintain a GPA of 2.0 each semester.

4. I understand that I need to submit my official high school transcripts to Columbia College Admissions & Records to verify high school graduation date prior to August 19, 2024.

Eligibility requirements completed as of today. Select all that apply:

In compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964), Title IX of the Educational Amendments (1972), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990), and Age Discrimination Act (1975), Columbia College does not discriminate on the base of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion or age in its educational programs or employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these Federal laws to College programs and activities can be directed to the following persons at Columbia College (11600 Columbia College Drive, Sonora, CA 95370), Title IX - Melissa Raby, Vice President of Student Services (209) 588-5132, Section 504 - Raelene Juarez, Interim Vice President of Instruction (209) 588-5107;  ADA Coordinator (209) 588-5144

Authorization: I declare under penalty of perjury that the information on this form is true to the best of my knowledge. Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), MEOC is authorized to access information deemed necessary to assist me in achieving my educational goals or in meeting the reporting requirements of the U.S. Department of Education, to record pertinent facts regarding my eligibility in the program, services rendered, verification of secondary education completion and post-secondary education enrollment. This information is protected by the Privacy Act, kept confidential and not to be seen unless specifically authorized. A copy of this statement shall serve as such authorization.