As the cost of college keeps rising, it's normal to wonder how you'll pay for it. That’s where Promise Programs can help! These programs essentially offer a scholarship to recent high school graduates to cover up to 100% of tuition and fees. Read more about Promise Programs and how to search for a participating college near you!

(Lee este artículo en español aquí!)

What is a Promise Program?

Although Promise Programs vary by state and school, they all share a common mission: to make college more affordable. Promise Programs were established to cover up to 100% of tuition and fees for eligible students attending college in a specific region. Promise Program scholarships invest in young people to help them access and succeed in college by removing some of the costs associated with earning a degree. While each Promise Program may differ in its structure, requirements, and location, its ultimate goal remains consistent: offering tuition-free opportunities at colleges for local high school graduates within their own communities.

Where do I find a Promise Program near me?

To see if there’s a Promise Program in your state or city, check out the College Promise map for a database of over 360 local and statewide programs across the United States. As you explore the map, you can find important information about funding, eligibility, and additional support each participating college provides under the Promise Program. In addition, you can easily compare and evaluate programs side by side, helping you find the one that best fits your needs and academic goals.

Promise Program Scholarship Eligibility

Eligibility for Promise Program scholarships can vary by state or school, but there are some universal general requirements. All Promise Programs have some type of residency requirements (for example, you must be an Oregon resident to apply for the Oregon Promise Grant), about half require a minimum GPA, and some may even request your high school attendance record. Other eligibility requirements may also include:

• FAFSA or state financial aid completion
• Academic merit
• Financial need
• Full-time vs. part-time student status
• Community service

Additionally, it's important to know that almost all programs require students to maintain a minimum GPA while in college to keep their scholarship.

First-Dollar vs. Last-Dollar Scholarships

Besides eligibility, make sure to research if the Program is considered a “first-dollar” or “last-dollar” scholarship.

• First-dollar: Promise Scholarship dollars are applied to the tuition bill first, followed by any federal or state financial aid.
• Last-dollar: Promise Scholarship dollars are applied to the tuition bill last, after federal and state financial aid has been fully applied.

With last-dollar scholarships, students may receive less funds than expected from the Promise Scholarship, even if they qualify for more. This is because most programs only cover tuition and fees, and if other sources of financial aid (such as scholarships, grants, and loans) have already taken care of these costs, there is essentially "nothing left" for the Promise Scholarship to pay for. This situation may leave you with unmet costs for transportation, school supplies, and other college-related expenses. When possible, try to look for Promise Program scholarships in the area that are listed as “first-dollar,” which allow other types of financial aid to help pay for these expenses.

Have any questions about Promise Programs? Text #College to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors. If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!