Q: Are the California Promise Grant (CCPG) and the Golden Promise Program (GPP) the same thing?
A. No. The California College Promise Grant, formerly known as the BOG Fee Waiver, is a state aid program that covers enrollment fees ($46 per unit) for eligible California residents. In contrast, the Golden Promise Program is designed for students who do not qualify for financial aid grants based on the household income criteria established by the FAFSA or California Dream Act application.
Q: I am receiving the California College Promise Grant (CCPG); can I qualify for the Golden Promise Program (GPP)?
A. Yes, eligible CCPG students may qualify for the stipend portion of the program; however, all program requirements must be met.
Q: Can I receive financial aid and be part of the Golden Promise Program (GPP)?
A. No, the Golden Promise Program (GPP) is only available to students who do not qualify for other financial aid resources to help cover the cost of college expenses.
Q: Is the Golden Promise Program (GPP) offered during the summer semester?
A. No, the Golden Promise Program (GPP) is not available during the summer term. GPP students are responsible for covering their own tuition and enrollment fees for summer courses.
Q: If I attended Golden West College during the summer semester as a first-time college student, am I eligible for the Golden Promise Program (GPP) during the fall semester?
A. Yes, enrolling in summer courses will not affect your first-time college student status for the Golden Promise Program.
Q: I was enrolled in dual enrollment/concurrent enrollment. Am I still eligible for the Golden Promise Program (GPP)?
A. Yes, dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment do not impact your eligibility. Upon graduating from high school, you will be considered a first-time college student. It is recommended that you contact the Financial Aid Department to confirm your enrollment status.
Q: Does the Golden Promise Program (GPP) also cover winter classes?
A. Yes, for financial aid purposes, winter classes are combined with spring semester classes. Students taking winter classes will be awarded after the spring semester census date.
Q: Will I be eligible if I am not a U.S. Citizen?
A. U.S. citizenship is not required for the Golden Promise Program; however, applicants must be California residents or meet AB 540 residency requirements.
Q: I'm receiving the Golden Promise Program (GPP), but I already paid for my tuition; will I receive a refund?
A. For qualifying students who have already paid their tuition out of pocket, a refund will be applied to their account after the census date of the semester.
B. Students will be reimbursed via their method of payment. Additional awards are refunded via BankMobile refund preference.
Q: What is BankMobile? How do I get started?
A. We utilize BankMobile Disbursement to deliver your refund.
B. Students with a complete financial aid file can access their BankMobile account through their MyGWC student portal.
C. Students have the option to deposit into an existing account (direct deposit) or open a BankMobile Vibe checking account.
Q: What is census?
A. The census date is set by the college and typically marks the end of the add/drop period. On this day, the college takes a “snapshot” of all students' enrollment which becomes the “official enrollment” that is used for both state reporting and financial aid eligibility.
B. Census is normally two weeks after the start of the semester. Please keep in mind the census date is determined based on the start date of the class.
Q: I am taking late start classes; how does this affect my eligibility?
A. If you enroll in late-start or second 8-week course(s) to achieve full-time enrollment status, the Golden Promise Program will cover all associated fees after the census date for those late-start courses (please refer to your Web Schedule Bill for specific census dates).
Q: What costs are covered by the Golden Promise Program (GPP)?
A. The Golden Promise Program covers tuition at $46 per unit. Eligible students may also receive a stipend to help offset additional educational expenses each semester, with amounts varying based on available state funding.
Q: Do scholarships affect my Golden Promise Program eligibility?
A. GWC scholarships are awarded to students outside of federal/state financial aid and do not affect your Golden Promise Program eligibility.
Q: Will my classes at Orange Coast College and Coastline College count towards my full-time enrollment?
A. Yes; however, to remain eligible for the Golden Promise Program, the majority of your units must be completed at Golden West College (GWC). It is important to check eligibility with other campuses in the district, as requirements may vary by institution. Because tuition support is awarded separately at each campus and funding is limited, coverage for courses taken outside of GWC is not guaranteed. To maximize your benefits, we strongly recommend enrolling in all or most of your classes at GWC.
Q: I am transferring from another institution. Can I receive the Golden Promise Program (GPP) in my second year at GWC?
A. Students transferring from another institution may be eligible for GPP based on available funding. To be considered, students must complete the Transfer Interest Form for evaluation.
To qualify, students must:
- Have attended their previous college full-time for both semesters
- Submit official academic transcripts demonstrating successful completion of coursework
Q: I am part of the DSPS program. Can I get units accommodations?
A. Yes, our department works with the DSPS program to identify eligible students with a reduced course load. If you think you meet the eligibility criteria, please contact the DSPS Department.
Q: Can I lose eligibility?
A. Yes. Students who drop below 12 units lose eligibility for that semester and are placed on warning status. They may regain eligibility in a subsequent semester if all program requirements are met.
B. Please note that this award is limited to two consecutive academic years; summer terms are not included.
C. Students who initially receive the Golden Promise Program (GPP) but later become eligible for financial aid due to a change in reported income must return their GPP award in order to receive new grant funding. The Financial Aid Office will process this as an overpayment, and once the GPP funds are returned, the new financial aid grants will be applied to the student’s account.
Q: What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
A. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is determined at the end of every term once grades are posted. Students are required to make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of an associate degree, an eligible vocational certificate, and/or transfer to a four-year college/university.
B. This includes maintaining a cumulative 2.0 GPA, completing 67% of attempted units, and NOT exceeding 90 units.
Q. I have already earned a degree and am enrolling at GWC to continue my education. Am I still eligible for the Golden Promise Program (GPP)?
A. Unfortunately, no. Students who have already earned a degree are typically placed in a disqualified financial aid status. To remain eligible, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, complete at least 67% of attempted units, and not exceed 90 total units.
Q: What are CPOS approved units and how does it affect my eligibility?
A. Course Program of Study (CPOS) is a regulation that requires the Financial Aid Office to only fund courses that apply to your officially declared degree or certificate program (program of study).
B. A declared program of study at Golden West College (GWC) is required in order for the stipend award to be issued.
C. Please ensure your course enrollment aligns with your declared program to maintain eligibility for financial aid and stipend funding.
