Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I still sign up for the 2023-2024 Canyons Promise cohort?

  No. Our 2023-2024 Canyons Promise cohort is closed and not accepting any additional students. Additionally, we do not accept mid-year admissions. 

• When will the 2024-2025 Canyons Promise sign-up period open?

  Our 2024-2025 sign-up period opens on January 5, 2024.  

  Beginning January 5, 2024, Canyons Promise information and the link to the electronic Promise Sign-Up Form will be emailed to eligible students who complete a fall 2024 COC application, as a first-time student. The form will be emailed once a week to eligible first-time, fall 2024 students. Emails will go to the personal email address provided on the student’s fall 2024 COC application.

  Students are encouraged to use their own personal email account (not their high school email or a parent email) and be sure to check your Junk/Spam folders. 

• How do I know that my Promise Sign-Up form was received?

  Once you have submitted your Promise Sign-Up form, a copy of the sign-up will be emailed to the email accounts you provided on your sign-up form (COC Student Email address and Personal Email address). The subject line is: Canyons Promise Sign-Up Confirmation. This confirmation is for your records. Do not delete this confirmation as you may need to reference it at a later date. If you did not receive this confirmation copy, please email promise@canyons.edu and we can assist you.

• When will I hear if I'm accepted to Canyons Promise?

  Students will receive a final program notification regarding their status in Canyons Promise for 24/25 by May 10, 2024, after our sign-up period closes.  

  The deadline to sign up for 2024-2025 Canyons Promise is May 1, 2024 at 5pm. After our sign-up period has closed, we will check all students for completion of the items detailed on our sign-up requirements page. This includes fall 2024 application, Promise Sign-Up Form, 24/25 FAFSA or CADAA, Assessment, Advisement, and Orientation. 

  Once a student signs up, they will receive a confirmation of their sign up to the email addresses provided on their form. They may not hear from us again until final notices are sent out. If you have questions, please reach out to promise@canyons.edu. 

• What is the Canyons Promise Summer Orientation & Workshop?

  Students that are accepted to the 2024-25 Canyons Promise cohort are required to attend one orientation/workshop during the summer of 2024. This orientation is not a class, it is a program orientation run by Canyons Promise. The orientation will provide them with: an overview of the program, the benefits they will receive, the requirements they must meet, receive major and career information, transfer information and have the opportunity to create/finalize their 1st year academic plan with a counselor. 

  These will be offered for the duration of summer 2024. We will have morning and afternoon opportunities for students to fulfill this requirement. Students who are admitted into the program will be provided additional information (including how to sign up) in their program acceptance letters, which will be sent out in mid-May.

  This orientation requirement is separate from the new student orientation students will complete as part of their new student steps.

• I applied for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), is that the same as Canyons Promise?

  No. They are two different things.

  The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) is an application for a fee waiver awarded through Financial Aid. Students can apply for the CCPG through Financial Aid or get awarded the CCPG when completing their FAFSA. The CCPG waives the $46/unit enrollment fee for students.

  Canyons Promise is a comprehensive student success program with a financial component. To be part of our Canyons Promise, students must sign up for the program. Even if you do not qualify for financial aid, students can be part of Canyons Promise. Canyons Promise does work to supplement any financial aid a student receives to ensure their fall and spring semesters student enrollment bills are completely paid for.

  Review our infographic for a quick overview of the differences: Canyons Promise vs. CCPG.

• I cannot find the Canyons Promise Sign-Up Form.

  The Promise Sign-Up Form will be emailed to eligible students who apply to COC for fall 2024. Beginning January 5, 2024, Canyons Promise information and the link to the electronic Promise Sign-Up Form will be emailed to eligible students who have a first-time college application on file for fall 2024.

  As of January 5, 2024, the form will be emailed once a week to eligible first-time, fall 2024 students. Information should be received by students within 5 business days (excluding holidays) of their fall 2024 application completion. Emails will go to the personal email address provided on the student’s fall 2024 COC application. 

  Students are encouraged to use their own personal email account (not their high school email or a parent email) and be sure to check your Junk/Spam folders. 

• I never received an email from the college after I applied.

  The admissions email from our college will be sent to whatever email was provided on the COC enrollment application. Please check your spam folders and search your email for the subject line: College of the Canyons Admissions Acceptance. If you still cannot find it, please contact Admissions and Records so they can assist with your application (661-362-3281).

  When applying to the College, it is recommended students use their own personal email account (not their high school email or a parent email). 

• I made a mistake on my Promise Sign-Up form, how can I fix it?

  Please email promise@canyons.edu with your full name, COC Student ID, and what error was made. We can assist.

• I’m trying to submit my Sign-Up Form but the system is stating my COC ID has already been submitted.

  Our system will only accept one Sign-Up Form per COC Student ID. If you have already submitted your Sign-Up Form under the ID number, it will not allow another. We would already have it on file. If you did not submit yours yet, please email promise@canyons.edu with your full name and COC Student ID as someone else may have mistakenly submitted the incorrect ID. We will assist you.

• I took college courses while I was still in high school, am I still eligible for Canyons Promise?

  Yes. Taking college courses prior to graduating high school does not hinder you from being eligible for Canyons Promise. In fact, those units may help you complete your goal faster.

• I’m not planning on taking courses during Summer 2024, do I need to submit a summer enrollment application?

  The summer 2024 enrollment application is not required for admission to the 2024/2025 Canyons Promise first year cohort. 

  However during summer 2024, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that all new COC students take courses that are part of the College Skills Toolkit. These courses are Noncredit College Skills -001 (Resources and Strategies for College Success) & Noncredit College Skills -002 (Online Learning and Strategies for Success). These courses are offered through our School of Personal and Professional Learning and are free for everyone. Learn more about these courses: College Skills Toolkit. 

  Students who choose to take these courses during the summer term must complete a summer 2024 enrollment application in order to have a registration date.  

• When do I need to complete my FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application?

  The FAFSA and CA Dream Act Application for 2024/2025 will open on December 31, 2023.

  We encourage students to complete their FAFSA or CA Dream Act as soon as the application period opens as the processing time can be lengthy. Once the program begins to process our Promise Sign Ups, we will be checking students for FAFSA or CA Dream Act completion. If a student has not completed one of them, we will be reaching out to ensure you apply before the deadline.   

  Completing the FAFSA or CA Dream Act is a state mandate to participate in Canyons Promise. All Canyons Promise students must have a current and complete FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application on file with the college each year they hope to be part of Canyons Promise. Otherwise, they cannot be part of the program.

• What courses will I need to take during the fall?

  Students will create their own unique schedule of classes based on their major and prior academic coursework. New students will have the opportunity to meet with Promise counselors to receive assistance creating their academic plan. Each student’s fall semester will look different. During the first year, we require they complete Counseling 110 or Counseling 150 and enroll in their math and English courses. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED students also complete NC.CGSL-003 Money Management in College and Beyond; a third class in the College Skills Toolkit. Students will also take general education and major prep courses. 

• I’m planning to take AP exams this spring, how do I receive credit for those courses?

  If you are taking AP exams and pass the exam with a 3 or higher, then you potentially could get credit for courses here at COC. When AP scores are ready and available, students need to submit the official scores to Admissions and Records to receive course credits. Students may request official AP scores on the College Board website. All students still need to complete the math and English assessment for placement. A student’s AP exam and score may fulfill the math and/or English course requirements.

  Students should meet with Counseling once their scores are received to understand what credit they will get and ensure the classes they are taking are accurate.

• I have already taken/am taking Counseling 110 or 150 at my high school. Will that count towards the requirement for the program?

  Yes. If you took/are taking Counseling 110 or 150 with COC while in high school (and receive(d) a passing grade), you have already met that course requirement for Canyons Promise.

• Why does Canyons Promise require students to take Counseling 110 or Counseling 150?

  We want to ensure our students are successful and on the right path. To help us achieve that, we require Canyons Promise students to take a counseling class to help guide them.

  Counseling 110 is our career exploration course where students will take career assessments and dive into career exploration. This course helps direct a student to their chosen career path.

  Counseling 150 is our college success strategies course. Students will be provided with many tools and strategies to help ensure they will be successful in college. This course provides a smooth transition from high school into higher education to be successful and reach your goals.