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San Diego Promise

Welcome to City College: San Diego Promise

Promise Alumni

The San Diego Promise is a two-year completion program for recent high school graduates and other eligible students 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.

The San Diego Promise application for Fall 2023 is NOW OPEN! The San Diego Promise is now accepting applications for the Class of 2023 high school graduates entering SDCCD (City, Mesa, Miramar College) in the Fall of 2023.

Why the 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. 
  • Assigned Peer Mentors. 
  • Book grants for eligible students (Dependent upon student's financial need).

Find out if you are eligible to obtain up to 

TWO YEARS TUITION FREE! 

Program Eligibility Requirements 

  • First-time to college student, or
    • Returning SDCCD students who have not enrolled in courses for three or more semesters (not including summer)
  • High school graduate* (H.S. Diploma or GED)
  • You may also qualify for the Promise Program if you identify with one of the following groups: 
    • Foster Youth Student 
    • Veteran of U.S. Armed Forces 
    • Formerly Incarcerated Student 
    • Undocumented Student
    • San Diego College of Continuing Education Students 
  • Must be a California resident or AB 540 eligible 
  • Fall Applicants must complete a 2023-20234 financial aid application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act). 
  • 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 

To find out if you may qualify to participate in the San Diego Promise, please contact us via email us at sdpromisecity@sdccd.edu or call us at 619.388.3998 or 619.800.3464

Program Requirements

  • Attend a Virtual Promise orientation 
  • Sign a Promise contract online
  • Enroll in at least 12 units by September 01, 2023 
  • Maintain a 2.0 college GPA 
  • Meet with a counselor each semester 
  • Complete a comprehensive education plan by the end of your first year.

Note: As program eligibility is determined, students who have are eligible to participate in the San Diego Promise program will receive an email invitation to electronically sign a Promise contract starting May 1, 2023 to secure your space in the program, sign and submit your Promise contract.

San Diego Promise Checklist & Application Steps

To help your student stay on track with the application process, please reference the Promise checklist and complete the steps below:

Click Here: San Diego Promise Checklist

San Diego Promise Application Steps

Students who complete steps 1-4 by June 17 will receive priority registration and admission to the program. 

Step 1: SDCCD Admissions Application

Interested students must first complete a Fall 2023 Admissions application to San Diego City College at sdccd.edu/apply. 

Step 2: Financial Aid Application 

Complete a 2022-2023 financial aid application (FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov or the CA Dream Act at dream.csac.ca.gov). 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. 

San Diego City College School Code for FAFSA or CA Dream Act applications: 

  • City College: 001273 

Step 3: Promise Application

Spring 2023 Applicants: Application is currently open. Application deadline is January 23, 2023.

Fall 2023 Applicants: Application is currently open. Application deadline is June 16, 2023.

Students must only submit one Promise application. Submitting duplicate applications may delay the processing time of their application.

Click Here to APPLY NOW!

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 view 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).

Step 4: Online New Student Orientation and 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.  

  • NEW STUDENTS must complete the New Student Education Planning workshop on Canvas.  Click here to access the workshop. 

Questions about completing the new student orientation and education plan, contact us for support at 619.388.3998 or 619.800-3464

Step 5: Promise Contract and Promise Orientation 

Students must sign a Promise contract online and attend a Virtual Promise orientation

Note: As program eligibility is determined, students who have are eligible to participate in the San Diego Promise program will receive an email invitation to electronically sign a Promise contract starting May 1, 2023 to secure your space in the program, sign and submit your Promise contract.

Step 6: Register for Classes 

Students must register for a minimum of 12 units by September 01, 2023*

*Students that do no register in a minimum of 12 units by September 01, 2023 will be dismissed from the program, with the exception of students with an appeal or DSPS academic accommodation on file.

**Information regarding the Promise contract will ONLY be provided to students that meet the program eligibility requirements.  As program eligibility is determined, information regarding the Promise Contract will be sent to students via email. 

Jarusalen Davila

Connect with Us: Prospective & Current Promise Students

 

 

Rachel Rojas  Student Services Technician

Email: rrojas@sdccd.edu Phone: 619.388.3998

 

 

 

Crystal Rodriguez, Program Counselor

To schedule an appointment call 619-388-3998

Email: crodriguez@sdccd.edu

 

peer mentor

Benjamin Villa,           Peer Mentor Lead 

Phone Number: 619-388.3998

Text Line: 619. 800.3464

Email: bvilla@sdccd.edu

 

 

On-site & Remote Hours

  • Monday through Thursday: 8:00am-4:30pm
  • Friday: 8:00 am-1:00 pm
  • We will be closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 16, 2023

Office numbers:

Call:  (619) 388-3998 Call/Text:  (619) 800-3464

Get Support : Prospective & Current Promise Students

Promise student testimony

Promise Peer Mentor Support 

Our San Diego Promise Peer Mentors are HERE FOR YOU! They can meet with you in-person or virutally via Zoom. Their goal is to help you navigate through your educational journey at San Diego City College!

They can assist you with information regarding the Promise application, status, requirements, and eligibility.

They can also assist you with general questions, your MySDCCD portal, Canvas, and registration (if you've already met with a counselor to create your Ed. Plan). 

Please Call 619.388.3998 OR Text 619.800.3464 if you have any questions.  

Looking for the San Diego Promise Office?

 We're located in A-313

Additional ways to conect with us

 

HOLIDAYS-PROMISE OFFICE CLOSED

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Monday, January 16, 2023

Lincoln Holiday

Friday, February 17, 2023

Washington Holiday

Monday, February 20, 2023

Cesar Chavez Holiday

Friday, March 17, 2023

Memorial Day

Monday, May 29, 2023

Juneteenth

Monday, June 19, 2023

Independence Day

Tuesday, July  04, 2022

Labor Day

Monday, September 04, 2023

Veterans Day

Friday, November 10, 2023

Thanksgiving 

November 23-24, 2023

Winter Break 

Dec. 21, 2023 - January 2, 2024

 

  • Students will be able to work within the program and understand how to utilize resources.
  • Students will be able to complete 2 years of academics.
  • Students will be able to understand and apply knowledge based on academic counselor assistance with an ed plan.

promise proud sign