The North Orange Promise is Fullerton College’s name for the first-time student, tuition-free program. The program provides free tuition for first-time college students through financial aid, the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), or AB-19/AB-2 (Assembly Bill No.2). Additionally, Promise Program students receive benefits such as priority and enhanced registration, access to an online community, and more! (see Promise Benefits FAQ).

To qualify, students must be:

→ First-time college students*

→ California residents**

→ High School graduate or equivalent

* What is a first-time college student?
Students who have not previously earned any college credit after high school graduation. Any college courses that were taken while in high school, as part of dual enrollment, are the only exception.

** What is a California Resident?
California Residency is determined by Admissions and Records. Please refer to the Residency web page for more information. 

Students who are eligible for non-resident tuition exemption through AB540 or SB68. For more information, refer to the Residency web page.

1. Submit a Fullerton College application to recieve a Banner ID (student ID number)

2. Complete a financial aid application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act) and next steps if selected for verification

3. Meet with a Fullerton College counselor before registration and again during the first semester (September & February are the best times!) to complete a comprehensive Student Education Plan (SEPP)

4. Enroll full-time (12 or more units) in the fall and spring semesters*

*If you are receiving DSS Services (Disability Support Services), you may be able to enroll in less than 12 units as determined by a DSS counselor.

*CE students who do not start the semester with all 12 units, but accumulate 12+ units throughout the semester are eligible.

5. Sign the Promise Agreement through MyGateway

Please view the eligibility page of the Promise website for specific , how-to steps: https://promise.fullcoll.edu/eligibility

We highly encourage students to complete all steps before the start of their first semester to avoid any issues due to an unpaid balance.

Students with missing steps will not have the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver applied to their account. The student is responsible for any fees on their account until all Promise requirements listed on the Promise Agreement are met. If there is a balance, the system may place an unpaid balance hold which can prevent the student from certain actions such as registering for classes.

Students must meet all qualifications and complete all Promise requirements by the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. For example, if a student’s first semester is Fall 2024 or Spring 2025, they must have all steps complete by June 30th, 2025 to be eligible for the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver and/or receive a refund for paid balances.

After June 30th of each year, audits and reports must be processed and closed out, so additional funding cannot applied after that date.

→ Maintain full-time enrollment of 12 units per term*.

*If you are receiving DSS Services (Disability Support Services), you may be able to enroll in less than 12 units as determined by a DSS counselor.

*CE students who do not start the semester with all 12 units, but accumulate 12+ units throughout the semester are eligible.

→ Meet with a counselor or special program counselor at least once per semester to review Student Education Plan or as needed after completion of a Comprehensive Student Education Plan. This will ensure students accomplish academic / career / transfer goals in a timely manner.

→ Follow the courses outlined in their Student Education Plan (SEPP). Failure to do so without approval from a counselor will affect eligibility to participate in the Promise Program. Any changes require meeting with a counselor to ensure continued academic success.

→ Enroll in math and English courses as designated by Student Education Plan (SEPP) within the first year of college. CE students may not need math and English to complete their certificate as determined by their counselor.

→ Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid and North Orange Promise Fee Waiver eligibility.

→ SAP includes a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 67% of the total units attempted at Fullerton and/or Cypress College.

→ Check-in with Promise Coaches or Peer Mentors at least twice a semester (Fall, Spring). Promise activities including workshops to support student educational goals, career & transfer seminars, collaborative student support activities, and events offered by the Promise Program count towards two check-ins.

The North Orange Promise encompasses the Anaheim Educational Pledge, Fullerton Partnership, and all 1st-time college students (beginning Fall 2019).

Your enrollment fees (the cost of classes), which are $46 per unit and the mandatory $21 Health Fee for the Fall/Spring semesters.

What fees are not covered by the Promise Program?

Additional fees such as books, parking permits, course materials or lab fees, Associated Student fees, OCTA Bus Transportation Fee, and Student ID cards are NOT covered by the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver.

Students looking for additional financial support are encouraged to explore scholarships available through the Friends of Fullerton College Foundation. 

• Guided entry support for first-time college students through the local high school partnerships.
• Summer START transition program for all first-time college students
• Specialized Counseling Services
• Financial Aid Support
• Priority and Enhanced Registration
• Access to our online community through Canvas to provide information regarding important deadlines, resources, and more!
• Personalized one-on-one support through Promise coaches and peer mentors
• Specialized career & transfer seminars to help you complete your goals in a timely manner
• Celebrations, social events, engagement & leadership opportunities, and much more!

Beginning Fall 2021, the North Orange Promise will be applied for four consecutive Fall and Spring semesters:

Semesters 1 and 2:

→ Your tuition will be waived once you are Promise Eligible and register for 12 or more units*.

Semesters 3 and 4

→ You must complete the semester with your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in good standing to be eligible for semester 3 and 4. 

→ Good Standing includes maintaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA and completing 67% or more of all attempted units at Fullerton and/or Cypress College.

→ Your tuition will be waived upon renewal of your FAFSA or CA Dream Act (including verification) and registering for 12 or more units*.

*If you are receiving DSS Services (Disability Support Services), you may be able to enroll in less than 12 units as determined by a DSS counselor.

*CE students who do not start the semester with all 12 units, but accumulate 12+ units throughout the semester are eligible.

The North Orange Promise Fee Waiver does not cover Summer or Winter tuition or Summer health fees. Summer and Winter courses are optional and not required to be eligible for the Promise. Students can take less than 12 units during the Summer / Winter without being disqualified from the Promise Program, but will be responsible for fees.

Summer / Winter grades and completion of units are still factored into SAP requirements. Meet with a counselor to discuss Summer / Winter classes.   

Students who qualify for the California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the BOGW – Board of Governors Fee Waiver) can have their Summer & Winter enrollment fees covered with no unit requirement.

To qualify, students must be:

→ First-time college students*

→ California residents**

→ High School graduate or equivalent

* What is a first-time college student?
Students who have not previously earned any college credit after high school graduation. Any college courses that were taken while in high school, as part of dual enrollment, are the only exception.

** What is a California Resident?
California Residency is determined by Admissions and Records. Please refer to the Residency web page for more information. 

Students who are eligible for non-resident tuition exemption through AB540 or SB68. For more information, refer to the Residency web page.

The student’s first semester must be full-time enrollment of 12 units* or more in order to participate in the Promise Program.

*If you are receiving DSS Services (Disability Support Services), you may be able to enroll in less than 12 units as determined by a DSS counselor.

*CE students who do not start the semester with all 12 units, but accumulate 12+ units throughout the semester are eligible.

CE students who do not start the semester with all 12 units, but accumulate 12+ units throughout the semester can be eligible for the Promise Program and have fees retroactively paid.

If a student begins their first semester of college in Spring, that will be “semester 1” of the four consecutive semesters the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver covers. 

→ Maintain full-time enrollment of 12 units per term*.

*If you are receiving DSS Services (Disability Support Services), you may be able to enroll in less than 12 units as determined by a DSS counselor.

*CE students who do not start the semester with all 12 units, but accumulate 12+ units th
roughout the semester are eligible.

→ Meet with a counselor or special program counselor at least once per semester to review Student Education Plan or as needed after completion of a Comprehensive Student Education Plan. This will ensure students accomplish academic / career / transfer goals in a timely manner.

→ Follow the courses outlined in their Student Education Plan (SEPP). Failure to do so without approval from a counselor will affect eligibility to participate in the Promise Program. Any changes require meeting with a counselor to ensure continued academic success.

→ Enroll in math and English courses as designated by Student Education Plan (SEPP) within the first year of college. CE students may not need math and English to complete their certificate as determined by their counselor.

→ Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid and North Orange Promise Fee Waiver eligibility.

→ SAP includes a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 67% of the total units attempted at Fullerton and/or Cypress College. Learn more about SAP on the Fullerton College Financial Aid website.

If you are a first-time or continuing Promise student, please email promise@fullcoll.edu with your name, student Banner ID, and your request to verify your Promise status.

There is no income requirement to be eligible for the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver.

The North Orange Promise is a last-dollar scholarship program, which means it will cover any enrollment fees remaining after federal and state aid programs, and private scholarships are applied.

→ Students are required to complete a Financial Aid application to qualify for the Promise benefits.

→ Some students are selected for verification or need to make corrections to complete their financial aid application. Please check your email or My Gateway for any notifications regarding issues with your financial aid application. More information can be found on the financial aid website: https://financialaid.fullcoll.edu/.

→ The CA College Promise Grant (CCPG, formerly BOG-Fee Waiver) is dependent on family income or other special qualifications. Most Promise Program students qualify for the CCPG, but the CCPG does not have the full-time enrollment requirement. 

→ The Promise Program has additional benefits including dedicated high school outreach support, priority registration, wrap-around services, peer mentors, and much more.

The North Orange Promise Fee Waiver covers registration & health fees for students who DO NOT qualify for financial aid or the CCPG and meet the Promise Program eligibility requirements.

Additional fees such as books, parking permits, course materials or lab fees, Associated Student fees, OCTA Transportation Fee, and student ID cards are NOT covered by the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver.

Students looking for additional financial support are encouraged to explore scholarships available through the Friends of Fullerton College Foundation. 

The North Orange Promise Fee Waiver does not cover summer or winter tuition or health fees. Summer/Winter is optional and not required to be eligible for the Promise. Students can take less than 12 units during the Summer/Winter without being disqualified from the Promise Program, but will be responsible for fees.

Summer/Winter grades and completion of units are still factored into SAP requirements. Meet with a counselor to discuss Summer/Winter classes.   

Students who qualify for the California Promise Grant (CCPG) can have their Summer & Winter enrollment fees covered with no unit requirement.

 The North Orange Promise Fee Waiver is only applied at the beginning and end of each semester. Students with missing Promise steps are advised to pay their account balance to avoid holds or being dropped from courses (beginning Fall 2023). if you did complete all Promise steps, do not pay and contact Promise ASAP.

Students who pay for their fees and are expecting the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver can be reimbursed by check after the NOP Waiver is applied to their account. 

A remaining balance after the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver covers enrollment and health fees may represent optional fees selected after registering for classes.

As long as you remain eligible, refunds will begin two weeks after the add/drop deadline or after the Winter break.

→ If you qualify for financial aid or the CCPG, contact Financial Aid about financial aid disbursement.

→ If you do not qualify for financial aid and are receiving the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver, contact the Promise Program for questions about your refund. 

The North Orange Promise is a last-dollar scholarship program, which means it will cover any enrollment fees remaining after federal and state aid programs, and private scholarships are applied.

Students can have different types of holds on their account. Login to MyGateway and click on “Check for Holds” under the registration tools section. 

If it is an unpaid balance hold, the next step is to check what the balance is. From MyGateway, search for  “Account Summary by Term”. This provides a breakdown of fees and charges for each semester you are registered and can help identify where the unpaid balance is coming from. 

If you are expecting the North Orange Promise Fee Waiver and have not received it, you may be missing an eligibility step or not meeting the 2.0+ GPA / 67% requirement. Contact Promise for further assistance at  https://promise.fullcoll.edu/contact

If it is your first semester, you would not be eligible for the North Orange Promise and will be held responsible to pay for all fees.

If it is semester 2, 3, or 4 and you are below 12 units*, please contact the Promise team ASAP. The North Orange Promise Program does not allow for gap semesters, meaning you must be at least part-time to remain eligible for Promise Program in future semesters. 

*If you are receiving DSS Services (Disability Support Services), you may be able to enroll in less than 12 units as determined by a DSS counselor.

*CE students who do not start the semester with all 12 units, but accumulate 12+ units throughout the semester are eligible.

Maybe.  You need to maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to stay eligible and unit completion may affect that.  Before withdrawing from classes, talk to your professor and a Fullerton College Counselor. View the Financial Aid publications for more details about SAP.

If a Promise student receives an “F” grade and it drops their cumulative GPA below a 2.0, then the student would be disqualified from receiving Promise benefits, as determined by their Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Please make sure to meet with a counselor, with the Promise Coaches, and communicate with your instructors on a regular basis. They can help you avoid any academic pitfalls.

The North Orange Promise Fee Waiver requires students to begin their first semester full-time with 12 or more units*. The North Orange Promise Program does not allow gap semesters, meaning you must be at least part-time to remain eligible for Promise Program in future semesters.

Students will be responsible for fees during semesters with part-time units. Please contact the Promise Program before taking part time units to discuss your options and Promise Eligibility. 

*If you are receiving DSS Services (Disability Support Services), you may be able to enroll in less than 12 units as determined by a DSS counselor.

*CE students who do not start the semester with all 12 units, but accumulate 12+ units throughout the semester are eligible.