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 credit of $250 will be provided Fall and Spring semesters Only to students who stay in compliance with the program requirements.
• The book credit 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 credit will cover book rentals charges; however, the student will need to provide a credit card at the time of purchase.
• The book credit 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 requirements as listed on the RCC Promise Eligibility Checklist.
• Check your RCC student email for the Promise Program Invitation in early April.
• View the Promise video and complete the application. Choose one summer experience (4-day session).
• Complete early registration on dates as directed. Enroll in Full-Time (12 or more units in Fall/Spring) and (3 units in WIN/Summer).
  • *Specialized programs, including culinary, cosmetology, and DRC (Disability Resource Center) students, can enroll in a status equivalent to full-time within their programs, which may be less than 12 units during Fall/Spring semesters. Variations may occur during the Winter and Summer semesters. For more details, please contact your program's educational advisor or counselor.
    • *Please note: The two-year program duration for specialized programs will not be extended for students in majors outside of STEM and Nursing.

• Attend one summer experience session (4-day session). Sign the Promise agreement to enroll in the Promise Program (The Promise agreement is provided upon completion of a 4-day summer experience session). Enrollment in the Promise Program is incomplete until the Promise agreement is signed.

• Plan to participate in Fall Welcome Day Activities. 

• Check your email regularly.

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• Enroll in and successfully complete a minimum of 12 units or more during the Fall and Spring semesters, and 3 units during the Winter and Summer sessions.
  • *Specialized programs, including culinary, cosmetology, and DRC (Disability Resource Center) students, can enroll in a status equivalent to full-time within their programs, which may be less than 12 units during Fall/Spring semesters. Variations may occur during the Winter and Summer semesters. For more details, please contact your program's educational advisor or counselor.
  • *Please note: The two-year program duration for specialized programs will not be extended for students in majors outside of STEM and Nursing.
• Attend the 4-day summer experience session prior to starting the First Fall Cohort. Students may be required to attend additional information sessions each semester.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher throughout every Fall, Spring, Winter, and Summer semester.
• Maintain and update your student educational plan (SEP) and semester by semester plan (SBS)(Must be developed by an RCC counselor and provided to the Promise program every Fall semester)
• Complete a FAFSA or DREAM application prior to the month of March every year.
• Complete 30 units in one academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer) (See policies and procedures for specialized programs) 

• Complete two of the following during Fall and Spring semesters: Campus workshops, meetings, tutoring, or other activities promoted by the Promise Program or Riverside City College. 

Student progress will be evaluated throughout the year to determine program eligibility.
Students who do not meet program eligibility will no longer receive services. Suspension of services will be effective immediately after the student becomes ineligible.

Please review the Promise Program Policies and Procedures for more detailed information.

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Students must develop and update their Student Educational Plans (SEP) and Semester-by-Semester (SBS) plans with an RCC counselor every Fall semester. Students must enroll in courses as prescribed on their educational plans. Students are required to provide Student Educational Plans (SEP) and Semester-by-Semester (SBS) plans to the Promise program every Fall semester.

Please note: If students change their major, they must update their Student Educational Plan (SEP) that semester with an RCC counselor and provide the updated (SEP) to the Promise program. 

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It's important to submit your Student Educational Plan (SEP) to maintain eligibility in the Promise Program. Watch the short video below or view the steps to ensure your SEP is submitted correctly. 

1. Locate the Promise Canvas Page on the app or website
2. Designate your cohort submission tab
3. All SEPS need an official approval/signature from a counselor before submission
4. Select drop down menu designated to your cohort
5. Select on the student educational plan submission tab
6. Congratulations! You have submitted your Promise Eligibility Requirement!!!

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Students must complete a FAFSA or DREAM application prior to the month of March each year they are in the program. Students who maintain eligibility requirements are offered two years in the program beginning in the Fall term. Eligible STEM and nursing students are offered three years in the program.

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Students in the Promise program must complete two of the following during Fall and Spring semesters: campus workshops, meetings, tutoring, and other activities as promoted by the Promise Program or Riverside City College. Academic success is more likely when students participate in campus activities, services, and support beyond the classroom. We will promote activities and track student participation as applicable to meet program needs.

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*If you had 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 made accessible to The Promise Program via email at 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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