RCC Promise Program

• Tuition and Student Services fees will be covered each term after the 10th week of Fall and Spring semesters, and 4th week of Winter and Summer sessions. Students will not be dropped from their courses for non-payment. Promise students are discouraged from paying any outstanding balances during this time. If payment is made, a reimbursement will be issued, but the time frame for a reimbursement can be lengthy and is not recommended.
• Students who have committed to the STEM or Health Related Sciences (Nursing) will receive an additional year of tuition and Fee support only!

 Tuition & Fees covered by the Promise Program:

Student tuition $46.0 per unit.
Student Health Fee:  Fall / Spring $20.00 - Winter/ Summer $17.00
Student Service Fee:  Fall/ Spring $30.00- Winter/ Summer $10.00
Transportation Fee: $5.50 over 6 units / $5.00 6 units and under

Fees NOT covered by the Promise Program: 

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• Book and supply voucher of $250 will be provided Fall and Spring semesters Only to students who stay in compliance with the program requirements.
• The book voucher can only be used in the RCC Bookstore to purchase the required textbooks and eligible supplies.
• Students will be required to provide a photo ID and class schedule at the time of purchase.
• The book voucher will cover book rentals charges; however, the student will need to provide a credit card at the time of purchase.
• The book voucher will not cover rental fees associated with damage, late charges, or non- (FAQ for additional information regarding Book credit)

RCC Bookstore

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• Priority registration is provided each term to students who maintain compliance with program requirements.
• Priority registration dates are limited to 3 days. Promise priority provides access to Riverside City College classes only.
• If the student misses their priority registration period, they must wait until their normal registration date to enroll in classes.
• Classes are not guaranteed after priority registration. However, it is the student’s responsibility to enroll in the required units, prior to the start of each term.

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Each student who successfully complete the promise program will be eligible to receive a Promise Program Sash to wear at their graduation ceremony.

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• Complete the Promise Eligibility Checklist, view the video, and submit the Promise Application.
• Secure your Summer Experience ticket via Eventbrite and attend one Summer Experience session (4-day session).
• Sign the Promise Agreement. Enrollment is not complete until the Promise Agreement is signed.
• Enroll full-time: 12+ units in Fall/Spring, 3 units in Winter/Summer.
• Check your RCC student email regularly for program updates.

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• Maintain 12+ units in Fall/Spring and 3 units in Winter/Summer.
  • *Specialized programs (Nursing, Culinary, Cosmetology, and DRC students) may be full-time with fewer units. Contact your program advisor or counselor.
  • *Note: Duration will not be extended for non-STEM/Nursing majors in specialized programs.
• Maintain a 2.5 GPA each term.
• Attend the 4-day Summer Experience prior to the first Fall term.
• Maintain and update your Student Educational Plan (SEP) and Semester-by-Semester (SBS) plan each Fall with an RCC counselor.
• Submit FAFSA or DREAM application annually by February/March.
• Complete 30 units per academic year (Fall–Summer).
• Complete two Promise-approved activities during both Fall and Spring semesters (e.g., workshops, tutoring, meetings).

Progress is reviewed annually. Students who do not meet eligibility requirements will lose services.

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Students must update their SEP and SBS plans with an RCC counselor every Fall. Plans must reflect current major and course enrollment, and be submitted via the Promise Canvas Shell.

Note: Students who change their major must update their SEP with an RCC counselor and submit the new plan to the Promise program.

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Submitting your SEP is required to stay eligible. Watch the video or follow the steps below to upload your SEP correctly:

1. Go to the Promise Canvas Page.
2. Locate your cohort submission tab.
3. Ensure your SEP has an official counselor signature/approval.
4. Select the correct dropdown menu for your cohort.
5. Submit your plan under the SEP Submission tab.
6. You're done—requirement complete!

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Submit a FAFSA or California Dream Act application annually before February/March. Students who maintain eligibility are offered:

• 2 years in the Promise Program.
• 3 years for eligible STEM and Nursing majors.

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Students must complete at least two activities each Fall and Spring term. Activities may include:

• Campus workshops
• Tutoring or Writing Center appointments
• Meetings or other academic success events

Participation in campus support services is key to academic success. The Promise team will track and promote these activities.

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If you had an IEP, 504, or medical/psychiatric diagnosis, and need academic accommodations, visit the DRC office or email drc@rcc.edu.

Please note: If your accommodations include a Reduced Course Load, ask the DRC to make this accessible to the Promise Program by emailing the.promise@rcc.edu.

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The Promise Program encourages all students to meet with their academic Advisor and Counselor to determine if they should or should not drop their classes. However, there is an option for a conditional one-time appeal to remain in the Promise Program if you do not maintain a 2.5+ GPA and 12+ units in the Fall and Spring semesters.  The Promise Program will evaluate the Participant's progress  throughout the academic year to determine their eligibility. Keep in mind that the appeal must be approved. However, if approved, appeal students will be recommended to speak to an educational advisor for guidance as well as academic support services.  

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There may be other financial aid options available to assist you with your educational needs. Please visit the RCC Financial aid office to speak to a Financial Aid Advisor about the available options. You can also click on the link to access additional RCC Financial aid information Riverside City College Student Financial Aid (rcc.edu) (Contingent upon eligibility).

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You get two academic years within the Promise Program. Each academic year begins in the fall term, and includes winter, spring, and summer. If you are a STEM or pre-Nursing student, you will receive a third years of paid tuition and fees; however, no book voucher will be given in the third year or during the winter and summer terms.  

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If you have an IEP, 504, medical diagnosis, psychiatric diagnosis, or are concerned about your academics and would like to continue receiving services through the Promise Program, please make sure to visit the DRC office as soon as possible. You can reach them via email at drc@rcc.edu. Please take note if you have established DRC accommodations, and one of your accommodations includes a Unit Reduction, you will need to communicate with DRC and request that the DRC Unit Reduction accommodation be accessible to the Promise Program via email at the.promise@rcc.edu.  Students who have a special course load reduction form from a DRC counselor are also limited to two academic years within the Promise Program.

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Do not pay any outstanding balances. Tuition and Student Services fees will be covered each term after the 10th week of Fall and Spring semesters, and 4th week of Winter and Summer sessions. Tuition will be paid for students who stay in compliance with program requirements. Students will not be dropped from their courses for non-payment. If payment is made a reimbursement will be issued, but the timeframe for a reimbursement can be lengthy and is not recommended.

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Purchase all your materials before the Published book voucher deadline because it will not re-open after the deadline date. Late start courses still count towards your overall unit requirement.

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Priority registration for Promise students are as follows: Summer/Fall and Winter/Spring.  Eligible Promise students will receive a priority registration email to their RCC student email address one week in advance notifying them of the 3-day priority registration window.

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You may take extra units beyond 12 credits during the Spring and Fall semesters if your counselor assigns you a higher unit count on your Student Educational Plan (SEP). If you pass Spring and Fall with 15 units or more, you do not need to take a course during the Winter and Summer terms.  If you for some reason do not pass all of the units during the fall and spring semesters, then it would benefit you greatly to take a summer or winter class to complete the 30 units required for each academic school year.

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