De Anza College Promise!


male grad in sunglasses and two women grads, one with flowersWith the De Anza College Promise, eligible first-time students who enter De Anza in 2024 or later* will get 

  • FREE tuition and fees for TWO years – up to 15 units per quarter – see below for details
  • FREE transportation with the VTA SmartPass

at the college that’s always Tops in Transfer!

(* Different rules and benefits apply for students who entered De Anza before the 2024 winter quarter – see below for details.)

It's Easy to Apply!

We’ve made it simple to qualify, with no separate application required. (See the steps below.) The program is open to California residents or those exempted from nonresident tuition – including students with AB 540 status. To qualify, you must

  • Be a first-time college student
  • Plan to attend full time – you must take at least 12 units per quarter and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to remain eligible
  • File the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the California Dream Act Application and list De Anza College on the application
  • For students who enter De Anza in winter 2024 or later, you must have annual household income below $300,000


Here's How It Works

Due to changes in state funding, some rules for the De Anza College Promise have been modified. Here are the rules and benefits, listed according to when you first enroll at De Anza. (This information was updated on Oct. 24, 2023.)

  • Winter 2024 or Later

    For new students who enroll for the first time beginning in winter 2024 or later, the program will provide 

    • FREE tuition and fees for TWO years – up to 15 units per quarter for fall, winter and spring (Promise benefits don't apply to summer session)
    • Plus: FREE transportation with the VTA SmartPass
     

    You may also qualify for additional tuition coverage through other financial aid programs, such as the California College Promise Grant fee waiver.

     

    Eligibility: For students who enter the program in winter 2024 or later, you must have annual household income below $300,00 and maintain full-time student status and a GPA of at least 2.0 to remain eligible for Promise benefits for two years.

  • Fall 2023

    For new students who enroll for the first time in fall 2023, the De Anza Promise will provide

    • FREE tuition and fees for TWO years – up to 15 units per quarter for fall, winter and spring (Promise benefits don't apply to summer session)
    • $1,000 toward books and materials ($500 for each year)
    • FREE transportation with the VTA SmartPass
     

    You may also qualify for additional tuition coverage through other financial aid programs, such as the California College Promise Grant fee waiver.

     

    Eligibility: For students in this category, there is no household income limit, but you must maintain full-time student status and a GPA of at least 2.0 to remain eligible for Promise benefits for two years.

  • Enrolled in 2022

    For students who enrolled in 2022 and are returning in fall 2023,  the De Anza Promise provides 

    • FREE tuition and fees for TWO years – no limit on units for fall, winter and spring (Promise benefits don't apply to summer session)
    • $1,000 toward books and materials ($500 for each year)
    • FREE transportation with the VTA SmartPass
     

    Eligibility: For students in this category, there is no household income limit, but you must maintain full-time student status to remain eligible for Promise benefits.

Tops in Transfer ... and More!There's no deadline to apply for the De Anza College Promise! You can still file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) now!

For information and personal assistance, contact a Promise Counselor in the Office of Outreach at 408.864.8327 or outreach@deanza.edu


Here's How to Apply

Here is what you need to know about how to apply, check your benefits AND maintain your eligibility.

  • Step 1: Submit your FAFSA or CADAA

  • Step 2: Apply for admission

  • Step 3: Register for at least 12 units

  • Step 4: Check your Financial Aid award 

  • Step 5: Be patient . . .

  • Step 6: Maintain Your Eligibility

  • Any questions? Here's where to find assistance

A Note About Parking

  • The Promise award doesn't cover parking permits, so you'll still need to buy your permit if you plan on driving to campus. (However, all parking fees are waived through June 2024.)
  • Your award does cover the SmartPass fee, which means you can ride free on VTA buses and light rail.

Martha KanterLaunched in 2017

The De Anza College Promise was launched at a special community event held Sept 27, 2017 at the Foothill Sunnyvale Center.

The featured speaker at the event was Martha J. Kanter, former U.S. Undersecretary of Education and former chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.

Take a Quick Tour!

Visit our video tour webpage to watch the full-length Grand Tour and see what some of our students are saying about their favorite spots on campus.

Stretch Your Book Dollars!

student stretching $500 bill

Here are several ways that you can make your book dollars go further, including

  • Free or Low-Cost Textbooks: Many classes now use zero-cost or low-cost textbooks and other materials. You'll find these classes marked with special symbols in the course listings.
  • Course Reserves: Some textbooks or other books required by instructors can be borrowed for short periods from the Library at no cost. 
  • Bookstore Rentals: Many textbooks can be rented from the Bookstore, at lower cost than purchasing them outright.

If you're in a Learning Community, EOPS or Guardian Scholars, you may also qualify for Bookstore vouchers. Ask your program counselor about these.

Visit the Stretch Your Book Dollars webpage to learn more!



smiling graduate


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