AB19 ‘The California College Promise Scholarship’ at Las Positas College

There has been misinformation disseminated about this bill by the media, and there are many misconceptions by the public and our students. Please read for a current accurate update.

AB19 was approved by the governor on October 13, 2017.  Read the full text of the bill  There is no mandate that a college must use these appropriated funds for the sole purpose of providing a Promise Program to all first time full time students who don’t qualify for the need-based Promise Grant Fee Waiver Program.   (A Promise Program provides all first time full-time students who do not have financial need with a fee waiver for one year.)

The actual AB 19 bill allows colleges to decide what is best for their students, whether that is to cover fees for first time, full-time students or make use of program funding in other ways that meet the goals of the legislation.  Each district and each college may implement the California College Promise (AB19) in different ways. 

Las Positas College has chosen to utilize the AB19 funds to support students with financial need in other meaningful ways. We have chosen to utilize a large portion of our funds to provide ‘Promise Scholarships’ to a defined group of students who have demonstrated financial need, but who have limited access to direct financial aid grants. These students are offered a $600/semester grant to be used to purchase books or help with any other educationally-related expenses.

CRITERIA for the LPC PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

Student must:

• be enrolled in at least 9 units, of which at least 6 units of enrollment are at Las Positas College;
• Officially be a Las Positas student who has submitted a FAFSA or DREAM application for Las Positas which is complete with an expected family contribution;
• be a California resident, or exempt from non-resident fees through AB540
• receive a Promise Grant Fee Waiver;
• not be in a ‘Disqualified’ status for financial aid;

Students do not need to apply for the LPC Promise Scholarship, they are automatically awarded.

Even though LPC is not offering a ‘Promise Program’ to waive enrollment fees of all first time-full time students, it is important to note that the Promise Grant Fee Waiver Program (formerly called the ‘BOGW’ Fee Waiver Program) is available to provide a fee waiver to all financial aid applicants who have sufficient unmet financial need. We believe over 50% of our students would qualify if they applied.

Our best advice for all of our students is every year be sure to file a  FAFSA or a California Dream Application (CADAA) (if student is AB540-eligible through Admissions).  

Based on the FAFSA/DREAM Application results we will determine if you qualify for a fee waiver for the current school year, along with the Promise Scholarship and other sources of financial aid. If your FAFSA or DREAM application results indicate you have sufficient unmet financial need and you are a California resident or you have established AB540 status, you will automatically be provided a fee waiver under this long standing fee waiver program!  ­­­ Read about the California College Promise Grant fee waiver program.