California College Promise (AB 19)
Offered by California Community Colleges · Free to apply
The AB 19 California College Promise waives the per-unit enrollment fee for first-time, full-time California Community College students regardless of household income, which makes it the one piece of California aid that does not depend on financial need. The important caveat is that participating is optional for colleges: they can, but are not required to, waive fees for first-time full-time students who do not already qualify for the need-based Promise Grant. Availability therefore genuinely varies from campus to campus, so a family needs to check with the specific college rather than assume it applies.
How hard is the California College Promise (AB 19) to win?
This is not a competition, but the funding is rationed: eligible students are routinely turned away once the money runs out, so filing date decides the outcome.
- Estimated odds
- most eligible students who file early receive it
- Paperwork
- ~1 hr to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to California residents
- Fewer rivalsOpen to a single grade level only
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the California College Promise (AB 19)?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of California
- Open to high school seniors
- Participation is OPTIONAL for colleges. Confirm with your specific California Community College that it offers the AB 19 waiver before counting on it.
- Requires first-time student status and full-time enrollment.
- No household income test, unlike the need-based California College Promise Grant.
- Undocumented and AB 540 students apply using the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) instead of the FAFSA. CADAA data is protected by state privacy law and is not shared with federal immigration authorities. The window runs October 1 to March 2.
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Ask your community college directly whether it participates and what its deadline is. This one genuinely differs campus to campus.
- Applications close
- June 30, 2027
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the California College Promise (AB 19)
How much is the California College Promise (AB 19) worth?
The California College Promise (AB 19) awards waives the $46 per unit enrollment fee for first-time, full-time students (participation varies by college).
When is the California College Promise (AB 19) deadline?
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Ask your community college directly whether it participates and what its deadline is. This one genuinely differs campus to campus.
Who is eligible for the California College Promise (AB 19)?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of California; Open to high school seniors.
Does the California College Promise (AB 19) require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1 hour on it.
How hard is it to win the California College Promise (AB 19)?
This is not a competition, but the funding is rationed: eligible students are routinely turned away once the money runs out, so filing date decides the outcome. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning most eligible students who file early receive it. Plan on about 1 hr of paperwork.
Is the California College Promise (AB 19) free to apply?
Yes. The California College Promise (AB 19) is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.