Golden Promise Program (GPP)

• Has not attended GWC or any other institution as a college student (dual enrollment does not affect your eligibility)
• Not eligible for any type of financial aid.

Eligible to receive:

Free tuition
Free stipend
Free registration fees

• Must have been awarded the Golden Promise Program for both semesters for the 2022-23 school year.
• Semesters must be taken consecutively and not exceeded two-year program maximum.
• Must continue to meet all requirements in Eligibility Criteria.

Eligible to receive:

Free tuition
Free stipend
Free registration fees

III. Students who are receiving only the California College Promise Grant (fee waiver) and are not receiving any other grants.

• Must meet all requirements in Eligibility Criteria.
• Must not have received the Golden Promise Program in prior academic years.

Eligible to receive:

Free stipend
Free registration fees

Get started

• All tuition and fees will be posted to student accounts after census.
• If a student is enrolled in late start classes, the awards will be posted to the student’s account after the census date of the late start class.
• Award eligibility letter with additional instructions and information will be sent to your student email once you meet all the eligibility requirements.
• Students MUST have a BankMobile account setup to receive the stipend.
  • Students can access the BankMobile link to set up their preferences through their MyGWC account. Once logged in, the link can be accessed on the GWC Home tab.
• Eligible students do not have to pay their fees out of pocket; a hold can be placed on their account that prevents them from being dropped for non-payment, while the award is being processed. Students with this hold will be notified via student email. However, eligible students who paid their fees in advance, will be refunded after census.

Q: Who is eligible for the Golden Promise Program?

1. Students who meet the following criteria are eligible for the Golden Promise Program:

• First-time college students
        - Has not attended GWC or any other institution as a college student prior to the time of consideration for the program and is not eligible for financial aid grants.
• Returning Golden Promise Program recipients
        - 2nd year of eligibility; must meet the eligibility criteria.
• Full-time students who are receiving the California College Promise Grant (fee waiver) but are not receiving additional financial aid grants.
        - Must meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Enrolled full-time (12+ units) [majority units are required at GWC]
• California Resident or AB540 Residency
• Completed a FAFSA or Dream Act Application [Must have all financial aid paperwork completed]
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) [Returning & Continuing students]
• BankMobile account created, and refund preference selected.

Q: Is the California Promise Grant and the Golden Promise Program the same thing?

1. No, the California Promise Grant (CCPG), formerly known as the BOG Fee Waiver is a form of CA state aid that waives the enrollment fee ($46/unit) for eligible CA residents. The Golden Promise Program is a form of CA state aid offered to students that don’t qualify for financial aid due to the household income requirements on the FAFSA/Dream Act application.

Q: Can I receive financial aid and be part of the Golden Promise Program?

1. No, GPP is only offered to students that don’t qualify for financial aid resources to help with the cost of college expenses.

Q: Is the Golden Promise Program offered during the summer semester?

1. No, the Golden Promise Program is not offered during the summer semester. GPP students are responsible for summer tuition and enrollment fees.

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 during the fall semester?

1. Yes, summer enrollment will not affect your first time in college student status for the Golden Promise Program.

Q: I was enrolled as dual enrollment/concurrent enrollment, am I still eligible for the Golden Promise Program?

1. Yes, dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment do not affect your eligibly. After graduating high school, you will be considered a first-time college student.

Q: Does the Golden Promise Program also cover winter classes?

1. Yes, for financial aid purposes, winter classes are combined with spring semester classes. Students taking winter classes will be disbursed after spring semester census.

Q: Will I be eligible if I am not a U.S. Citizen?

1. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for the Golden Promise Program; however, applicants must be a California resident or qualify for AB540 residency.

Q: I'm receiving the Golden Promise Program, but I already paid for my tuition; will I receive a refund?

1. For qualifying students who have already paid their tuition out of pocket, a refund will be applied to their account after the census date for the term.
2. Students will be reimbursed via method of payment. Additional awards are refunded via BankMobile refund preference.

Q: What is BankMobile? How do I get started?

1. We utilize BankMobile Disbursement to deliver your refund.
2. Students with a complete financial aid file can access their BankMobile account through their MyGWC student portal.
3. Students have the option to deposit to an existing account (direct deposit) or open a BankMobile Vibe checking account.

Q: What is census?

1. The census date is a 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.
2. Census is normally two weeks after the start of the semester. Please keep in mind census is determined based on the start date of the class.

Q: I am taking late start classes; how does this affect my eligibility?

1. If you enroll in a late term or second 8-week course(s) to earn full time enrollment status, the Golden Promise Program will pay for all fees after the late start course(s) census date (please check your web schedule bill for specific census dates).

Q: What costs are covered by the Golden Promise Program?

1. Tuition and registration fees: $46/Unit (tuition fees), $26 Health Fee, $20 College Service Charge, $2 Representative Fee, and any Materials Fees (amount varies depending on the program).

Q: What is the stipend?

1. Starting Fall 2023, GPP students will receive a $700 stipend to cover the registration fees along with any additional expenses, such as textbooks and parking.
2. These funds will be refunded via BankMobile refund preference.
3. Tuition will be awarded separately!

Q: I am receiving the California College Promise Grant, can I qualify for the Golden Promise Program?

1. Yes, eligible CCPG students can qualify for the stipend award. Please read the Eligible Students section for more information regarding eligibility.

Q: Do scholarships affect my Golden Promise eligibility?

1. GWC scholarships are awarded to students outside of federal/state financial aid and does not affect your Golden Promise Program eligibility.

Q: Will my classes at Orange Coast College and Coastline College count towards my full-time enrollment?

1. Yes, however, majority of your units must be taken at GWC to remain part of the Golden Promise Program.

Q: I am part of the DSPS program, can I get unit accommodations?

1. 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 complete the interest form request.
2. Need to speak to a counselor regarding unit accommodations? Please contact the DSPS department.

Q: Can I lose eligibility?

1. Yes, students who drop below 12 units lose eligibility for the semester and go into a warning status. Students have the possibility of regaining eligibility if they meet all the eligibility criteria the following semester.
2. Please note this award is only offered for 2 consecutive academic years; summer semesters are not included.
3. Students who received the Golden Promise Program but later qualify for financial aid due to an income change on the application, are required to return the GPP awards in order to receive the new grants the student is eligible for. Furthermore, an overpayment will be processed by the Financial Aid Department. Once the award has been returned, the Financial Aid Office will process the new grants and disburse them via BankMobile refund preference.

Q: What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

1. 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.
2. This includes maintaining a cumulative 2.0 GPA, completing 67% of attempted units, and NOT exceeding 72 units.