The California College Promise Grant (formerly the Board of Governors Fee Waiver) is a California Community Colleges financial aid program for California residents and AB540 students that waives the enrollment fees for students. To obtain a California College Promise Grant, students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by visiting fafsa.ed.gov, or complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by visiting dream.csac.ca.gov.
The following are California College Promise Grant types and their corresponding eligibility criteria. Your eligibility will be determined based on the information provided on your FAFSA or CADAA.
Type A (documentation required)
- Receive AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income), or General Relief. Students must show proof (i.e., a copy of a CA-7 with current or last month’s date, agency verification, etc.);
- Be certified by the California Department of Veterans Affairs or the National Guard Adjutant General for eligibility for a dependent's fee waiver;
- Be eligible as a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor or as a child of a recipient or a dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
- Be eligible as a dependent of a deceased law enforcement/fire suppression personnel killed in the line of duty.
Type B (documentation required)
Meet the income standards listed in the Total Family Income table below. Students should be prepared to show the previous year's federal tax return(s), W2s, or other income verification.
California College Promise Grant
2023-2024 Income Standards*
Family Size 2021 Income
1 $20,385
2 $27,465
3 $34,545
4 $41,625
5 $48,705
6 $55,785
7 $62,865
8 $69,945
Each Additional Family Member $7,080
* These standards are based upon the federal poverty guidelines, as published each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Under Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, the student or student's family must have a total income in the prior year (in this case, 2021) that is equal to or less than 150% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines based on family size.
These income standards are for the 2023-2024 academic year and are to be used to determine California College Promise Grant-B eligibility EFFECTIVE July 1, 2023.
Type C
Students who have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Application and have a minimum unmet need of $1,104.
Once students are awarded a fee waiver, it will be applicable for the entire Financial Aid year (Summer, Fall, and Spring) based on continuing eligibility.
Loss of Eligibility for California College Promise Grant
Effective fall 2016, a student shall become ineligible for the California College Promise Grant if the student is placed on academic or progress probation or any combination thereof for two consecutive primary terms (see academic standards). Foster Youth are not subject to the loss of the California College Promise Grant; this exemption is effective until the date specified in Education Code section 66025.9(c).
Primary terms are defined as fall and spring semesters. Terms shall be considered consecutive on the basis of the student’s enrollment so long as the break in a student’s enrollment does not exceed one primary term.
Academic Standards
- Sustain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher - If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 for two consecutive primary semesters (fall/spring), you may lose your fee waiver eligibility.
- Complete more than 50% of your attempted units - If the cumulative number of units you complete is not more than 50% in two consecutive primary semesters (fall/spring), you may lose your fee waiver eligibility.
- Any combination of two consecutive semesters of cumulative GPA below 2.0, and/or cumulative unit completion of not more than 50% may result in loss of fee waiver eligibility.
Notification of Loss of California College Promise Grant
The District shall notify students who are placed on academic or progress probation for the first time of the potential loss of the California College Promise Grant. Notifications will be sent to students 30 days after the end of each primary term that resulted in the students being placed on probation. The notification will clearly state that two consecutive primary terms of probation will lead to a loss of the California College Promise Grant until the student is no longer on probation. Each student will be notified about probation through their Mendocino College email address. The notification will advise students about the available student support services to assist them in maintaining eligibility. Guidelines for appeals and deadline dates will be provided in the notifications.
The District shall also notify the students placed on academic or progress probation for a second consecutive term which has resulted in the loss of his/her fee waiver. Each student will be notified about the loss of fee waiver through their Mendocino College email address.
Loss of California College Promise Grant Appeal
1. Students may appeal the loss of a California College Promise Grant for any of the following reasons:
- Academic/Progress Probation Extenuating Circumstances: verified illness, accident or circumstances beyond the control of the student or other circumstances that might include documented changes in the student’s economic situation. (Examples of documentation are doctor’s notes, accident report, verification of loss of job, etc.)
- Significant academic improvement by completing the most recent semester with a 2.00+ term GPA and completion of more than 50% of semester coursework;
- Student with a verified disability, applied before the deadline but did not receive an accommodation in a timely manner;
- Student was unable to obtain essential support services;
- Student requests special consideration as a participant in one of the following programs: CalWORKs, EOPS, DRC, Veterans;
- Student has not enrolled at Mendocino College for two consecutive semesters (fall/spring) since becoming ineligible for the California College Promise Grant.
2. Incomplete appeal packets will not be considered by the committee and will be returned to the student for completion as time allows.
3. Appeals will be reviewed within ten (10) business days of submission of a complete appeal.
4. Notification of the appeal results will be sent to your Mendocino College email address.