California College Promise Grant

The California College Promise Grant, also known as the CCPG, is a state-funded program that waives your enrollment fees at Southwestern College. It used to be called the Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW). This is free money and you do not pay it back.

The CCPG covers the $46 per unit enrollment fee only. It does not automatically cover all of your fees. Depending on which type of CCPG you qualify for, some additional fees like the Student Health Fee, Student Center Fee, and parking may also be reduced or waived. The CCPG is awarded for the full academic year, which includes summer, fall, and spring semesters. The 2025-2026 CCPG covers Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026. The last day to apply for the 2025-2026 award is May 29, 2026.

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG), formerly known as the Board of Governors' Fee Waiver (BOGFW), is a state funded program which is available to California residents who meet the specific income eligibility requirements. To apply, submit a FAFSA or Dream Act application.

How to Apply

To apply for the CCPG, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the California Dream Act Application. Many students think that completing CCCApply is enough to receive the CCPG. It is not. CCCApply registers you for classes at SWC. The CCPG requires a separate application through FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application. This is a very common source of confusion, so please make sure you complete both steps.

AB 540 Students: If you are an AB540 student, you are eligible to apply for the CCPG. If you are an AB540 student applying under Method C and you have a valid Social Security Number, you should use the FAFSA. If you do not have a valid Social Security Number, use the California Dream Act Application instead. For more information about AB540 eligibility, visit the California Dream Act page.

Many students who do not qualify for Method A or Method B will qualify for Method C and may also be eligible for additional financial aid by completing the FAFSA.

If you have already paid your enrollment fees and then receive the CCPG, you may request a refund at the Cashier's Office, located in the Student Services Center, 1st Floor, or at the Student Services counter at any of the Higher Education Centers.

Eligibility

To qualify for the CCPG, you must be a California resident or an eligible AB540 student and meet the requirements under Method A, B, or C. Each method has different eligibility requirements, which are outlined below. California residency is determined by the Admissions & Records Office.

There are no minimum or maximum unit requirements. You can be enrolled in as few or as many units as you need and still keep your award, as long as you continue to meet the academic and progress standards described below.

If you do not qualify for the CCPG, you may still be eligible for the Southwestern College Promise Grant, which also covers enrollment fees. Eligibility requirements differ between the two programs.

Types of CCPG

There are three ways to qualify for the CCPG. You only need to qualify under one method.

To qualify for Method A, you or your family must currently be receiving one of the following:
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF/CalWORKs/AFDC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
You must provide a Verification of Benefits Form dated within 60 days of your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application date.

Method A waives Enrollment fees, Student Health fees, and Student Center fees. The Parking Permit fee is reduced.

Special Classifications also qualify for Method A. This includes students who have certification from the California Department of Veterans Affairs or the National Guard Adjutant General for a Dependent's Fee Waiver, students who are a dependent of or recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and students who are a dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Verification of eligibility from the appropriate agency is required for all special classifications. Students qualifying under a Special Classification have only their enrollment fees waived.

CCPG Method B

To qualify for Method B, your total household income from 2023 must be at or below the state income standards based on your family size. The table below shows the 2025-2026 income limits:

Number in Family Household (including the student)	2025-2026 CCPG Income Standards Based on 2023 Total Family Income
1 Family Member	$22,590
2 Family Members	$30,660
3 Family Members	$38,730
4 Family Members	$46,800
5 Family Members	$54,870
6 Family Members	$62,940
7 Family Members	$71,010
8 Family Members	$79,080
Each Additional Family Member	$8,070

Method B waives Enrollment fees and the Parking Permit fee is reduced. Method B does not waive the Student Health Fee.

Method C is for students who demonstrate financial need through their FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. SWC will review your results and award the CCPG to students who are enrolled and show a minimum unmet financial need of at least $1,104. There is nothing extra you need to do to apply for Method C. Completing your FAFSA or CADAA is the application.

Method C waives Enrollment fees are and the Parking Permit fee is reduced. Method C does not waive the Student Health Fee.

Keeping Your CCPG

Once you receive the CCPG, you must continue to meet academic and progress standards each semester to keep it. If you do not meet these standards for two primary semesters (Fall/Spring) in a row, you will lose your CCPG eligibility.

The CCPG has its own academic and progress standards that are separate from the federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. The CCPG requires you to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and complete more than 50% of the units you attempt. Federal SAP requires a higher completion rate of 67%. You must meet both sets of standards independently to keep all of your financial aid. Meeting one does not guarantee you are meeting the other.

Note: Foster youth and former foster youth age 24 and younger, as well as students receiving the CalVet fee waiver, are not subject to losing their CCPG under these rules.

There are two standards you must meet:

GPA Standard: You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. If your GPA falls below 2.0 for two primary semesters in a row, you may lose your CCPG.

Progress Standard: You must complete more than 50% of the units you attempt. If the number of units you successfully complete is not more than 50% for two primary semesters in a row, you may lose your CCPG.

Any combination of two primary semesters where you fail to meet either the GPA or Progress Standard may also result in losing your CCPG.
If you lose eligibility, you will be notified within 30 days. You have three options to regain eligibility:
- Improve your GPA or completion rate to meet the required standards
- Successfully appeal by completing a CCPG Appeal Form
- Sit out for two semesters in a row (fall and spring) without attending SWC
Extenuating circumstances that may qualify for an appeal include verified accidents, illness, or other circumstances beyond your control, a significant change in your financial situation, inability to obtain essential support services, and disability accommodations that were not received in time. Special consideration is also available for CalWORKs, EOPS, DSPS, and veteran students.

The Financial Aid Office will email your SWC email address with a link to the appeal form. Fill it out completely and accurately, select the correct reason for your appeal, and include all required documentation. Missing documentation will delay your appeal.

Processing takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Check your SWC email or your My Financial Aid account in MySWC for updates.

If you are struggling with your classes, we encourage you to meet with a counselor. They can help you find the resources and support services available to you. Your success is our priority.

California College Promise Grant

How to Apply

Eligibility

Types of CCPG

Keeping Your CCPG

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