51·´²îºÚÁÏ

The Promise covers these costs for the fall, summer, and spring semesters:

• Enrollment Fee:  $46 per unit
• Health Fee: $19
• ASCC Student ID Card Fee: $10
• Student Center Fee: $10
• Student Representative Fee: $2
• Course Materials Fees:  (fees indicated in the course description on Class Finder; does not include books or items the instructor requires in his/her syllabus)

The Cuesta Promise will pay for all unit fees for students that are a California Resident or AB540 student, whether a student is full or part-time.

Beginning Summer 2025 the Cuesta Promise will cover 3 Summer terms.

• Summer before your first year
• Summer between year 1 and year 2
• Summer following year 2

How to qualify? 

• To qualify for the Summer term between year 1 and year 2, and Summer term after year 2, all you need to do is complete the normal promise steps. Your information will be captured in the normal registration process.
• To qualify for the Summer term immediately after your high school graduation/before your first Fall at 51·´²îºÚÁÏ, you will need to complete all Cuesta Promise steps by the first day of the Summer term. Promise Steps
  • Important: You will need to complete the FAFSA or Dream Act Application (CADAA) for the current Aid Year. 51·´²îºÚÁÏ aid year is Fall, Spring, Summer. 
    • Example: You Graduate high school in May 2025. You have completed all Promise steps, including the 2025-2026 FAFSA/CADAA. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FIRST SUMMER TERM, YOU MUST ALSO COMPLETE THE 2024-2025 FAFSA/CADAA. All Promise Steps Must be completed no later than June 8, 2025, including the 2425 FAFSA/CADAA.

All graduates from San Luis Obispo County high schools, who earned their diplomas between the dates of July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025, including students who receive their GED or are homeschooled, must begin using the Cuesta Promise during 51·´²îºÚÁÏ’s Fall 2025 semester.

If you attend in the Spring semesters after you graduate high school, but before the Summer or Fall 2025 semester, you would need to apply for financial aid separately to receive financial assistance for that semester.

2025-2026 The Cuesta Promise Application Steps Brochure

Qualifying students must follow the application process and deadlines below:

San Luis Obispo County high school graduates can now qualify for the Cuesta Promise the summer immediately proceeding your Spring graduation (See drop down for "First Summer Criteria")

San Luis Obispo County High School Graduates

1. Submit your 51·´²îºÚÁÏ admissions application: October 1, 2024 - August 1, 2025
2. Submit your scholarship application by August 1, 2025
3. Scholarship Priority Deadline - (submits your application to the pool of all Cuesta College Scholarships): March 2, 2025
4. To be considered for additional scholarships, apply between: October 1, 2024 - August 1, 2025
5. Complete the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application: October 1, 2024 - August 1, 2025
6. Complete the 51·´²îºÚÁÏ online orientation: October 1, 2024 - August 1, 2025
7. Register for your classes: April 2025 -  August 1, 2025
8. Congratulations, The Cuesta Promise is yours! Check your email for announcements and updates.

You will not be eligible for the Cuesta Promise Scholarship.

No, you must return to 51·´²îºÚÁÏ for the next consecutive year in order to qualify for the second-year fee-free.

Yes, follow the Cuesta Promise steps and make sure you submit the California Dream Act Application.

Yes! The 51·´²îºÚÁÏ Foundation has established an ongoing fund so that the Promise will be around for future generations of SLO County high school students.

Just remember: after you graduate high school, you must attend 51·´²îºÚÁÏ the Fall semester immediately following your commencement to obtain the Promise Scholarship.

Yes. If you are a San Luis Obispo County resident and earned your GED, graduated from a home school, or received your CHSPE results between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, and you indicated this on your 51·´²îºÚÁÏ admissions application, you qualify for the Cuesta Promise, and must begin using the Cuesta Promise during 51·´²îºÚÁÏ’s Fall 2025 semester. If you attend in the Spring term after you graduate high school, but before the Summer 2025 term, you would need to apply for financial aid separately for those semesters.

*In most cases, home school students will need to submit a first year Cuesta Promise appeal when the school is not automatically recognized as eligible.

No. Just register for classes and your fees will be paid.

You will need to meet the following academic requirements to qualify for year two fee-free:

• Complete more than 50% of the units attempted in the Fall and Spring semesters
• Earn a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher during the Fall and Spring semesters
• Renew the FAFSA or Dream Act before August 1 of the next academic year

If you meet these requirements, simply register for classes and your fees will be paid.

If you do not see your high school on the 51·´²îºÚÁÏ admissions application, please email promise@cuesta.edu to ensure that your high school or home school qualifies for the Cuesta Promise Scholarship and find out if you will need to submit a Cuesta Promise Appeal.

Verify that your residency status is correct with Admissions, Student Records & Registration. If it is not, then you may need to fill out a Statement of Legal Residence or California Nonresident Tuition Exemption request. For additional residency information please visit Admissions, Student Records & Registration

You can check the status of your Cuesta Promise application in the same place you check your financial aid status, myCuesta student portal.

How to Check your Cuesta Promise Status Brochure

51·´²îºÚÁÏ begins awarding the Promise each year in May.

When you’ve been awarded, you will receive an email in your myCuesta email account and be mailed a congratulatory letter to your home address. You can also double-check your account balance in myCuesta to see if the fees have been paid!

Find it in myCuesta: Student Self Service > Student Accounts > Account Detail for Term.