Salinas Valley Promise FAQs

Salinas Valley Promise Frequently Asked Questions

Virtual Front Desk

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Program Eligibility

Who is eligible for the Salinas Valley Promise?

Any high school or adult school student who has graduated from a California high school or adult school and enrolls in college for the first time as a full-time (12 units or more per semester*) student. Students must have applied for financial aid through either the FAFSA (https://fafsa.ed.gov/https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa) or California Dream Act Application (https://dream.csac.ca.gov/) in order to qualify for the Salinas Valley Promise.

*Students enrolled in fewer than 12 units may be eligible for SVP when eligible for a reduced course load as a Department of Supportive Programs and Services (DSPS) accommodation.

I do not qualify for financial aid, can I be eligible for Salinas Valley Promise?

Yes. Salinas Valley Promise accepts students regardless of household income. You are still required to submit a financial aid application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act), in addition to completion of other eligibility requirements and steps by the priority deadlines to be in the program.

Do I have to participate in all program activities to maintain eligibility?

Yes. You are required to participate in the student success seminar, year-long mentorship, and quarterly student success and professional development workshops.

What is the Student Success Seminar?

The Student Success Seminar is a requirement to be eligible for Salinas Valley Promise. It is a course or institute that will help first year students navigate college, get connected with caring staff/faculty, learn about resources, and how to be a successful Hartnell student.

The Student Success Seminar can be completed one of three ways:

1) Counseling courses: COU-1, COU-21, or COU-23
2) Summer Math Academy (August)
3) Summer bridge hosted by approved support programs*

* Approved support programs: TRiO, Vocational Nursing (VN), Teacher Pathway Program (TPP) / MAESTROs, Computer Science in 3 Years (CSin3), Math Academy

If I have any early college credit (through dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment), am I eligible to apply for the Salinas Valley Promise?

Yes, as long as you didn’t attend any other college after you graduated from a high school or adult school. 

If I attend Hartnell during the Summer session as a first-time student am I eligible for the Salinas Valley Promise for the Fall semester?

Yes, as long as you meet all of the eligibility criteria and Summer session was your very first semester of enrollment. We only cover student's tuition for Fall/Spring. Any summer tuition will need to paid out of pocket or through financial aid.

Can I start the Salinas Valley Promise in the Spring or Summer semester?

Yes. The Salinas Valley Promise is available for first-time college students for Spring or Fall only.
 
SVP applicants will be considered as first-time college students even if they decide take a courses in the Summer. 
 
Please Note: The Salinas Valley Promise program only covers Fall and Spring semesters.If you need financial assistance for the Summer semester, please contact the Financial Aid department: finaid@hartnell.edu or 831-755-6806 | https://www.hartnell.edu/students/fa/index.html

What happens if I drop below 12 units in a semester?

If you drop below 12 units* you will forfeit your Salinas Valley Promise funds for the upcoming Spring semester and the following semesters (Please note: requirements for the California Promise Grant, formerly known as BOG Fee Waiver, are different.)
 
*Students enrolled in fewer than 12 units may be eligible for SVP when eligible for a reduced course load as a Department of Supportive Programs and Services (DSPS) accommodation

What if I earn less than a 2.0 GPA in a semester?

If you do not complete a minimum of 12 units or earn less than a 2.0 GPA in the Fall/Spring term, you will not be eligible to receive the Salinas Valley Promise funds in the following semesters. You will be responsible to pay your enrollment fees. (Please note: requirements for the California Promise Grant, formerly known as BOG Fee Waiver, are different.)

If I have a disability, and am eligible for accommodations and services through the Department of Supportive Programs and Services (DSPS), can I also apply for the Salinas Valley Promise in a semester?

Yes, having a disability and being eligible for accommodations and services through DSPS does not negatively impact your eligibility for being a recipient of the Salinas Valley Promise. Students with disabilities are encouraged to plan ahead with a DSPS counselor in preparing the Salinas Valley Promise application, after completion of the FAFSA or the California Dream Act application.
 
Students enrolled in fewer than 12 units may be eligible for SVP when eligible for a reduced course load as a Department of Supportive Programs and Services (DSPS) accommodation

Can I participate in the Salinas Valley Promise if I am an undocumented student?

Yes. However, students must meet in-state tuition requirements. Undocumented students must submit a non-resident tuition exemption form in order to qualify as California residents for tuition purposes under AB 540, AB 2000, or SB 68. If you need assistance completing or submitting the form, please contact Hartnell’s Center for Achievement and Student Advancement (Mi CASA) at micasa@hartnell.edu or (831) 755-6723.

Will I be eligible if I am not a U.S. Citizen?

All graduates of high schools and adult schools are eligible to apply, regardless of their citizenship status. However, students on a F1 visa will not be eligible for the Salinas Valley Promise.

How do I enroll as a full-time student at Hartnell?

Please go to Hartnell College’s Registration Steps webpage to ensure that you are informed and prepared to enroll at Hartnell College. It is recommended to meet with a Hartnell counselor to create an educational plan, go here to learn to schedule an appointment or visit express counseling.

 

Enrollment Fees & Financial Aid

My household income is high for financial aid, do I need to submit a financial aid application?

Yes, all applicants are required to submit a financial aid application (FAFSA or California Dream Act Application). Salinas Valley Promise accepts students regardless of household income, as long as applicants complete all other eligibility requirements and steps by the deadlines to be in the program.

What costs are covered by the Salinas Valley Promise?

The Salinas Valley Promise will cover your first AND second year of enrollment fees for 12 or more units ($46/unit), per semester. If you meet all of the eligibility requirements and are accepted into the Salinas Valley Promise Program, you will receive an added benefit of either a laptop or the equivalent value in a voucher for books (approximately laptop purchase value).

Does the Salinas Valley Promise also cover summer school?

At the present, we are not offering the Salinas Valley Promise for the summer session.

Is the California Promise Grant the same as the Salinas Valley Promise?

No. The California Promise Grant is a fee waiver offered by the California Community College system for residents of California that are attending community college and demonstrate financial need.
 
The Salinas Valley Promise is a program specific to Hartnell College that includes a fee waiver (regardless of income) and additional benefits such as mentorship, professional development, and support for books or a laptop for first-time, full-time college students from the Salinas Valley.

How will I receive the money for the Promise on my student account?

The “Promise” will be posted to your Hartnell student account and will pay for your enrollment fees. You will be responsible for paying the $12-per-semester student activity fee.

Do I pay the $12 student activity fee?

Yes, you will need to pay the $12 student activity fee out-of-pocket. Financial aid does not cover this.

If I paid my enrollment fees before receiving the Salinas Valley Promise Grant, how do I get reimbursed?

If you paid your enrollment fees before you were awarded the Salinas Valley Promise Grant, you can start the process of reimbursement through the Cashiers Office by visiting or calling (831) 755-6998. The Salinas Valley Promise Grant will need to be in your student account before a reimbursement can be processed.

Do other scholarships and financial aid affect whether or not I receive the Salinas Valley Promise?

The Salinas Valley Promise is intended to cover two years of enrollment fee costs for full-time students through various sources of funding. If you receive a California Promise Fee Waiver Grant, your enrollment fees will be paid through that grant. In the event that you are not eligible for the California Promise Grant, and you are eligible for the Salinas Valley Promise Grant, you will receive the Salinas Valley Promise Grant to pay for enrollment fees.
 
Private scholarships awarded to students outside of federal or state financial aid will not reduce the amount provided through the Salinas Valley Promise unless total funds awarded exceed the total cost of attendance at Hartnell.

If I qualify for financial aid, can I turn down the financial aid and instead receive the Salinas Valley Promise?

No. However, please note that if state or financial aid does not fully cover Hartnell enrollment fees, students who meet other eligibility requirements for the Salinas Valley Promise will have the remaining enrollment fees covered by the Salinas Valley Promise Grant.

 

Program info 

What are the approved support programs for Salinas Valley Promise?

Besides a fee waiver, what are the other benefits of Salinas Valley Promise?

Additional benefits of the 'Promise' are a free laptop or support for books (of equivalent value), mentorship by a peer mentor, participation in a student succcess seminar, and professional development and student success workshops.

Who do I speak to if I have other questions?

Please contact Hartnell College Office of Equity Programs at (831) 755-6723  or email svp@hartnell.edu for additional information related to the Salinas Valley Promise.
 
Please contact the Financial Aid Office (831) 755-6806 if you have questions regarding applying for financial aid.
 
Please contact the Admissions and Records Office at (831) 755-6711 if you have questions regarding enrolling at Hartnell College.

I want to support the Salinas Valley Promise fund as a donor. Whom do I speak to about making a Promise donation?

Please contact the Hartnell College Foundation at (831) 755-6810 or visit our giving page (https://hartnellfoundation.org/donate-now/) and designate your gift to the Salinas Valley Promise.

 

Who To Contact

  • Salinas Valley Promise
    Office of Equity Programs
    svp@hartnell.edu
    Phone: (831) 755-6723
    Building: Hartnell College Main Campus
    Office: Building B, Room 204A
    411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901

Location

  •  B - Student Services

     B - Student Services