Shasta College Promise Program

For many students attending Shasta College, their tuition will be free for two years as long as they are full-time students. A new program, called the Shasta College Promise Program, is providing students who previously may have avoided going to school due to financial considerations, another chance at obtaining a college education. The Shasta Promise program is funded by a mix of private and public funds. 

How to Apply​ 

Shasta College students who are California residents need to complete the following steps:

  1. App​​​​ly for Admission at Shasta College.
  2. Submit the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA), or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), for the current academic year.
  3. Complete the New Student Online Orientation.
  4. Meet with a counselor and create an education plan.
  5. Submit the Shasta College Promise Program Application (Dynamic Form).

Please allow 3-5 business days for processing.

Important Note 

In order to match the FAFSA with your student records, please verify that Shasta College has your accurate Social Security number on file and you have added Shasta College to your FAFSA.

If your social security number is not on file, please complete the Change of Personal Information Form (Dynamic Form).

You will be prompted to upload copies of the following documents to complete this update.

  1. A copy of your social security card (must be signed if 18+)
  2. A copy of an ID (government issued or high school ID)

For application assistance, please schedule a help appointment: Schedule Appointment

Eligibility

  • Have California or AB540 residency status in Shasta College’s system
  • Enroll as a full-time student (12+ units)
  • Have financial need lower than $1,104 (determined by FAFSA or CADAA)
  • Graduated with high-school diploma or equivalent
  • Have not already received a college certificate, associate degree, or higher.

Summer Eligibility

The Shasta Promise Grant can be awarded for summer. Students are required to register for 12+ units and pay for the 12+ units. Students will then be reimbursed once refunds are processed for summer. 

Please call the counseling department for unit clearance at (530) 242-7724.

Need to appeal?

If it has been determined that you are ineligible for the Shasta College Promise Program because you were not enrolled in 12 or more units as a full-time student in either Fall or Spring, then you can appeal this decision by submitting additional information regarding the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting this standard. 

Questions? We're here to help.

Please contact the individuals below with any questions:

Apply Now

Learn More

12+ units are required each semester to be considered full-time. This includes the summer term.

The program covers the $46 per unit tuition fee. Students will be responsible for the Student Health and Campus fee, any books and material fees associated with their classes, parking permits, and the student ID fee.

Yes, we must have a new FAFSA on file for each academic school year.

Students can take courses in the summer without beginning their two years free. If the student does not register in 12+ units for the summer, they will need to pay out of pocket. Then, they can begin their two years free in Fall.

Yes. Please reach out to Michaela Hamill or Sandy Opdyke to be awarded for summer. Fees will not automatically be waived. Students may need to pay for summer tuition and then be reimbursed.

Yes. But a full first year is considered summer > fall > spring. If student begins courses in the spring semester, that will be considered their first full year.  If a student returns in the following summer or fall, that would be considered the beginning of their second year.

Students will need to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units by the last day to add full-term courses (census day) to retain eligibility. Students will receive an automated notification one to two weeks prior to the deadline reminding them to be enrolled in 12 units by that date. Waitlisted classes do not count toward the 12-unit requirement. 

Yes, or set up a payment plan. If the grant is dropped from a student’s account and that student registers in more courses after the deadline, they can reach out to Michaela Hamill or Sandy Opdyke to have their award reinstated, and that semester’s bill corrected.

Yes, but if students skip a semester due to an extenuating circumstance, they may inquire about the appeal process. Their eligibility may or may not be extended.

As long as you remain eligible, you may receive a refund for the tuition portion of the fees. Refunds usually begin two weeks after the add/drop deadline of the corresponding semester. Please reach out to one of the facilitators to ensure the refund is in process.

Last Updated January 2025