Glendale Community College

To qualify for GCC’s Promise Plus program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Full-time status in the fall/spring semesters
• Complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
• Be a California resident by the start of the summer/fall semester
• Enroll in our one-week Summer Bridge course for orientation

NOTE: If you are unable to achieve or maintain one or more of these requirements, you may be responsible for fees depending on your circumstances, but you will continue to be eligible for other Promise Plus benefits and services if you maintain contact with your Promise Plus counselor.

The Summer Bridge program is designed help new students make the most of their first year in college.

Opportunities include:

• Attending a new student orientation

• Developing a first-year plan of classes depending on your major and goals

• Securing your first semester schedule of classes in reserved or general-population sections

• Learning about support programs, clubs, and activities you can be a part of

• Engaging in discussions about key skills such as time management, critical thinking, study strategies, etc. in order to be a successful student as you enter GCC as a college student

• Help finding student employment for those who’d like to work

• Summer Bridge (Student Development 101: College Success Strategies), a 1-unit CSU transferrable class is paid for by the Promise Plus program after you enroll full time for Fall semester (Theses courses are taught by a GCC Academic and/or Career Counselor). 

Yes, you can sign up for other classes in addition to the Summer Bridge (Student Development 101) course. However, Promise Plus will only cover the fees and tuition costs associated with the one-unit Student Development 101 course. You will be responsible for the additional tuition costs of any other courses aside from Summer Bridge (Student Development 101). 

Yes, you can start the program in the spring semester. GCC will cover tuition (excluding fees) for Spring 24’, Fall 24’, and Spring 25’. Additionally, you must complete one of the specified courses (ST DV 101, ST DV 125, or ST DV 127) during the Spring 24' semester. Funding for each student is unique and will look different for each student, but you will still remain part of the community. Make sure to connect with financial aid to understand your unique situation with CCPG, pell grants or other funding sources.

• Fall semester Promise Plus students have access to sections of high-demand (General Education) courses reserved for first-year, Promise Plus students.

• Fall reserved courses are designed to help students both explore fields they may
  be interested in but also progress toward completion on a 2-year timeframe. They also have dedicated instructional faculty who are eager to work with our first-year students. 

• Fall required course: Student Development 127: Majors Exploration – to help students connect their goals with their specific majors and transfer or career strategy. 

• Promise Plus students have access to specially trained Promise Plus counselors who they connect with on a semester by semester basis. They are a go-to resource for all Promise Plus students.

• During the fall and spring semesters, student will complete a success activity and submit their completion via the Promise Plus website under "Current Promise Plus students". Success Activities create the opportunity for students to engage with the campus community. Additionally, Promise Plus hosts exclusive events and workshops for our students. 

• Throughout the first year, if students become interested in joining programs with
  additional support and resources like our EOPS or Disabled Student programs, Promise Plus staff will help them join and keep the overall GCC experience seamless.

• Promise Plus also helps students get an on-campus job or otherwise connect with financial resources like scholarships, internships, additional financial aid, basic needs, etc.

• The Promise Plus SYE includes continued tuition and fee assistance and the active counseling element. The difference is that each semester’s class line up will change as each student becomes more focused on their own educational and career pathways.

• Promise Plus will continue to help students connect with their learning communities while also encouraging active participation. For example, we can offer student worker jobs guaranteed if they’re “aligned” with learning pathways, such as research assistants, tutors in their major subjects, etc.

• Second year Promise Plus students will also have a chance to become peer mentors as an option for getting involved with their campus community.

• The SYE will also include counselors reminding and encouraging students to participate in activities geared toward helping them prepare for life after GCC. Examples are interviewing and resume workshops for those entering the workforce, or transfer application and essay writing workshops for transfer-minded students.