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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MSJC Promise?

The MSJC Promise provides FREE tuition to first-time, full-time college students.

To be eligible for the MSJC Promise, students must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Apply for admission at msjc.edu/apply
  • Be a California resident or exempt group
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Be a first-time student (students that completed con-current, dual-enrollment, or articulated coursework/units while in high school will be eligible)
  • Must not possess a Certificate and/or Associate degree
  • Apply for FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
  • Be enrolled in and complete at least 12 units per term in the Fall and Spring semesters
  • We recommend that first-time students take English, Math in the first year
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA while at MSJC  
  • Students enrolled in the MSJC First Year Experience (FYE) Program will receive priority in the MSJC Promise Program 

To be eligible for the second year of the MSJC Promise Program, students must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled in and complete at least 12 units per term in the Fall and Spring Semesters of the second year
  • Apply for FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA while at MSJC

No.

No. The California College Promise Grant is an enrollment fee waiver for eligible students attending California community colleges.

When you register for classes, if you are not eligible for fee waivers such as the California College Promise Grant, you will be responsible to pay tuition and other fees. Students who meet all eligibility requirements of the MSJC Promise will be reimbursed for tuition fees after successfully completing their courses. 
Students meeting all eligibility criteria for the MSJC Promise Program will be considered for the MSJC Promise Book Grant in addition to the tuition reimbursement, as funding permits. Students awarded the MSJC Promise Book Grant will receive communication directing them to select a refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. 
Students who meet all eligibility requirements for the MSJC Promise will automatically be considered based on availability of funds. There is no application for the MSJC Promise Program. 
No.
A student who has no prior postsecondary experience (except as noted below) attending MSJC for the first time. It also includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended MSJC for the first time in the fall or prior summer term of their first year in college, and students who entered with advanced standing (college credits or postsecondary formal award earned before graduation from high school).
Yes, the student may receive the Promise Program benefits only for the duration of their first academic year.
Full-time MSJC Promise students must enroll in at least 12 units per semester in the fall and spring.

In order to remain eligible for the MSJC Promise, students must be full-time and complete all coursework each semester.

Yes, students must complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application application and meet all other MSJC Promise requirements to be considered. 
No, the Promise does not cover fees for summer classes.
For more information, please email finaid@msjc.edu or call 951-465-7891.