Southwestern College Promise

The Southwestern College Promise Grant is a state-funded program designed to help make college more affordable by covering your enrollment fees. If you meet the eligibility requirements below, SWC will cover those fees for up to two contiguous years during the fall and spring semesters. This means you must use the benefit in back to back years with no gap in between. Because this program is funded through California Assembly Bill 19/2, availability depends on state funding each year and is not guaranteed.

One important thing to know before you apply: the SWC Promise Grant is a last dollar program. This means it is designed to fill the gap after other fee waivers are applied first. If you already qualify for a fee waiver through your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, that waiver will be applied to your account before the SWC Promise Grant is considered.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the SWC Promise Grant, you must meet all of the following requirements each year you participate in the program:

• File a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application for both your first and second year of participation
• Be a California resident, AB540 student, or qualifying military dependent
• Enroll in at least 12 for-credit units at SWC each fall and spring semester. Important: Students who receive accommodations through Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) and are enrolled in fewer than 12 units may still be eligible. To be considered, you must obtain documentation from DSPS confirming your enrollment accommodation and submit it to the Financial Aid Office.
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA for all courses taken during the program
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
• Enroll in all units by the semester Freeze Date

View the Current Freeze Dates

If you do not meet these requirements, you may lose your SWC Promise eligibility.

How to Apply

Applying for the SWC Promise Grant is straightforward. There is no separate application. Once you complete the steps below, the Financial Aid Office will automatically determine your eligibility based on your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.

1. Apply to SWC through CCCApply on the Apply and Register page

2. Complete your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application using SWC school code 001294

3. Enroll in at least 12 for-credit units at SWC for both the fall and spring semesters

4. The Financial Aid Office will review your eligibility and award SWC Promise automatically

Support Services for Your Success

The SWC Promise Grant is just one of many ways SWC supports student success. Whether you need help with food, child care, or finding your community on campus, SWC Cares has resources to help. From the Jag Kitchen food pantry to learning communities like First Year Experience, Umoja, Bayan, and Puente, to the PowerStudy Program which embeds tutors directly into certain classes, there is something here for everyone. Visit the SWC Cares page to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Since both the CCPG and the SWC Promise Grant are designed to cover enrollment fees, only one can be applied to your account. If you already qualify for the CCPG, that award will be applied and the SWC Promise Grant will not be added on top of it.​