SBCC Promise

Geographic Scope: Santa Barbara Community College District Area

Overview:
The SBCC Promise offers any recent local high school graduate the opportunity to attend Santa Barbara City College by covering all required fees, books, and supplies for up to two years. The program is made up entirely of privately raised funds and makes the community college fully accessible to all local students.

Eligible High Schools

Local schools include: Adult High School (SBCC), Alta Vista High School, Anacapa High School, Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Carpinteria High School, Cate School, Dos Pueblos High School, Eureka School of Santa Barbara, Foothill Alternative High School, Garden Street Academy, La Cuesta High School, Laguna Blanca, Los Robles High School, Olive Grove High School (Santa Barbara), Providence Hall, Rincon High School, San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara High School, Trivium Charter School.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate:

• Recent graduates from public, private, or alternative high school (including homeschool, court school, or online school) in the SBCC District Area
• New students who recently graduated from high school or equivalent (Adult High School, GED completion, CHSPE passage) in the SBCC District Area
• California residents, AB540 students, and undocumented students who meet all SBCC Promise eligibility requirements
• Must enroll at SBCC for the fall or spring semester immediately after high school graduation or equivalent

To remain eligible:

• Apply for financial aid every academic year (CCPG, FAFSA, or California Dream Act Application)
• Commit to full-time student schedule: minimum 12 units every fall and spring semester (or approved DSPS reduced unit load)
• Participate in minimum one academic counseling session each semester
• Remain in good academic standing at Santa Barbara City College

Summer Terms:

• Optional; covered by SBCC Promise if student enrolls immediately following Spring Semester
• Summer sessions immediately after high school graduation are NOT covered
• No minimum/maximum unit requirement for summer
• No academic counseling requirement for summer

Eligibility Review

Students who did not complete eligibility requirements or have special circumstances beyond their control may appeal via the Eligibility Review Form. Special circumstances include: illness, accident, enrollment after first year, alternative school completion, attendance at another college first year, late full-time enrollment, late academic counseling, late financial aid submission, or approved leave of absence.

Contact Information

Office Location: Administration Building A-202
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Friday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Application Process

1. Complete secondary education within the Santa Barbara Community College District
2. Enroll at SBCC for the fall or spring semester immediately after high school graduation, GED completion, or equivalent
3. Apply for financial aid every academic year:
   • California College Promise Grant (CCPG), OR
   • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), OR
   • California Dream Act Application
4. Register for full-time enrollment: minimum 12 units every fall and spring semester (or approved DSPS reduced unit load)
5. Schedule academic counseling: participate in minimum one counseling session each semester
6. Maintain academic standing at SBCC throughout enrollment

Eligibility Monitoring

Eligibility is reviewed:

• At the start of each semester
• In the middle of each semester
• At the end of each semester

Students are notified of eligibility status via messages sent to their SBCC Pipeline email account.

Special Circumstances Appeal

For students with special circumstances, complete and submit the Eligibility Review Form by the end of the semester. Processing takes 2-3 weeks. Appeals reviewed on first-come-first-served basis.