What is the Cuesta College Promise?
The Cuesta College Promise is a scholarship program available to all San Luis Obispo
County high school graduates. The Promise offers all local graduates, including
undocumented students—who come straight to Cuesta following their graduation—two
years of attendance fee-free (two consecutive fall and spring semesters). The Cuesta
Promise will pay fees for students that are California residents or AB540 students.

What fees does the Promise pay for?
The Promise covers these costs for the fall and spring semesters:

  • Enrollment ($46 per unit)  
  • Health ($19)
  • ASCC Student ID Card ($10)
  • Student Center ($10)
  • Student Rep ($2)
  • Course Materials Fees (fees indicated in the course description on Class Finder; does not include books or items the instructor requires in his/her syllabus)

The Promise will pay for all unit fees (The Cuesta Promise will pay fees for students that are a California Resident or AB540 student), whether a student is full or part-time.

How do I qualify for the Promise?
All graduates from San Luis Obispo County high schools, who earned their diplomas between
the dates of July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023, including students who receive their GED or are homeschooled,
must begin using the Cuesta Promise during Cuesta College’s Fall 2023 semester.
If you attend in the Spring or Summer terms after you graduate high school, but before the
Fall 2023 term, you would need to apply for financial aid separately for those terms.

Qualifying students must follow the application process and deadlines below:

  1. Submit your Cuesta College Fall 2023 admissions application: October 1, 2022 - August 1, 2023
  2. Submit your scholarship application (Apply by priority deadline, March 2, 2023 to be considered for additional scholarships): October 1, 2022 - August 1, 2023
  3. Complete the FAFSA or the Dream Act application: October 1, 2022 - August 1, 2023
  4. Complete the Cuesta College online orientation: October 1, 2022 - August 1, 2023
  5. Register for your classes: May 2023 -  August 1, 2023
  6. The Promise is yours! Check your email for announcements and updates

What if I want to take a break and not attend the second consecutive year at Cuesta, can I still get the second year free when I decide to come back later?
No, you must return to Cuesta for the next consecutive year in order to qualify for the second-year fee-free.

What happens if I miss the deadlines?
You won’t be eligible for the Promise Scholarship.

If I am an undocumented student can I apply for the Cuesta Promise?

Yes, follow the steps and make sure you submit the California Dream Act Application

I’m not a senior this school year. Will I be able to get the Promise in the future?
Yes! The Cuesta College Foundation has established an ongoing fund so that
the Promise will be around for future generations of SLO County high school
students. Just remember: after you graduate, you must attend Cuesta College
the Fall semester immediately following your commencement to obtain the
Promise Scholarship.


Do I qualify for the Cuesta Promise Scholarship if I earned a GED, graduated from a home school or passed the CHSPE between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023?

Yes. If you are a San Luis Obispo County resident and earned your GED, graduated from a
home school, or received your CHSPE results between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, and
you indicated this on your Cuesta College admissions application, you qualify for the Promise,
and must begin using the Cuesta Promise during Cuesta College’s Fall 2023 semester. If
you attend in the Spring or Summer terms after you graduate high school, but before the
Fall 2023 term, you would need to apply for financial aid separately for those terms.

What if I received the Promise in the Fall – do I need to do anything extra to get it in the Spring?
No. Just register for classes and your fees will be paid.

What if I received the Promise for Fall and Spring—do I need to do anything extra to get it for the next Fall and Spring?
You will need to meet the following academic requirements to qualify for year two fee-free:

  • Complete more than 50% of the units attempted in the Fall and Spring semesters
  • Earn a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher during the Fall and Spring semesters
  • Renew the FAFSA or Dream Act before August 1 of the next academic year

If you meet these requirements, simply register for classes and your fees will be paid.

What should I do if I don’t see my high school listed on the Cuesta College admissions application?

If you do not see your high school on the Cuesta College admissions application, please email promise@cuesta.edu to ensure that your high school or home school qualifies for the Cuesta Promise Scholarship and find out if you will need to submit a Promise Appeal.

What should I do if I am being charged out of state tuition?

Double-check that your residency status is correct with Admissions & Registration. If it is not, then you may need to fill out a Statement of Legal Residence or California Nonresident Tuition Exemption request. More information available at bit.ly/cuestapromiseresidency.
The Cuesta Promise will pay fees for students that are a California Resident or AB540 student. 

How do I check the status of my Promise application?

You can check the status of your Promise application in the same place you check your financial aid status.
How to Check your Promise Status Flyer

Once I’ve completed all the requirements, when will I be awarded the Promise?

Cuesta begins awarding the Promise each year in May. When you’ve been awarded, you will receive
an email in your myCuesta email account and be mailed a congratulatory letter to your home
address. You can also double-check your account balance in myCuesta to see if the fees have been
paid!

Find it in myCuesta: Student Self Service > Student Accounts > Account Detail for Term.

What if I think I’ve done all of the requirements, but I don’t see the Promise on my student account?

Double-check that you have completed all of the requirements and allowed enough time for those changes to be processed. If you still don’t see the Promise on your student account, please email promise@cuesta.edu for assistance.

More questions?
Email: promise@cuesta.edu
Call: 805-546-3153