Calif. 2-Year System Renames Fee Waiver as Promise Program

“California has long been a leader in college opportunity,” said Eloy Ortiz Oakley, the system’s chancellor, in a news release. “By rebranding our fee waiver program as the College Promise, we are aligning our historical commitment to affordability with the successful Promise partnership model to send the message that college is within reach to young Californians who otherwise may not see higher education as an option.”

The need-based fee-waiver program is first dollar, which means it covers tuition first before any other financial aid awarded to the student. That allows students to use other financial aid to offset the cost of textbooks, transportation and other expenses.