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Program Requirements
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Program Requirements
Home > Student Services > Enrollment Services > Canyons Promise > Program Requirements

Program Requirements

To join Canyons Promise, students must complete all application requirements by our program deadline. Canyons Promise admits new cohorts of students every fall semester. To learn about how to apply, eligibility criteria, deadlines, and to complete all items, visit our Application Requirements page.

Once students are part of Canyons Promise, there are program requirements they must complete and meet to continue with the program from semester to semester. Failure to maintain or complete any of our requirements will result in removal from the program. We always encourage students to reach out to us with any questions they may have.

YEAR 1 REQUIREMENTS

Below are the requirements for students admitted to the fall 2026 first-year cohort.

SUMMER 2026

  • Attend a Canyons Promise Summer Orientation (This is not a class.)
    New Canyons Promise students MUST attend one orientation with the program during the summer of 2026. These will be offered throughout July & early August 2026. This is a program-specific orientation, not a course or the online new student orientation.
  • Students who are admitted into the program will be provided information (including how to schedule their orientation) in their program acceptance letters. Notifications which will be sent out in early June 2026.

FALL 2026 & SPRING 2027

  • Enroll in and maintain a full-time enrollment schedule (a minimum of 12 units) for fall and spring semesters.*
  • Complete the fall 2026 semester in good standing with the college and earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Meet with a counselor to complete your full Student Education Plan (SEP) during year one.
  • Set goals to meet eligibility to continue into year 2 with Canyons Promise (see below for year 2 eligibility).

It is highly recommended that students begin their math and English courses during their first year. Students will need to consult with a counselor on the appropriate math course for their major.

Additionally, to encourage student success, it is recommended, but not required, to enroll in either Counseling 110 (Career-Life Planning) or Counseling 150 (Student Success).

COLLEGE PREPARATION 

College Skills Toolkit Certificate: We encourage all first-time college students to complete the College Skills Toolkit Certificate offered by our School of Personal and Professional Learning. This certificate is earned by completing and passing three noncredit courses which are designed to provide resources and strategies to succeed in college as a new student. Each course is one week long and is at no cost to students. Some students may have already completed one or two of the certificate courses during high school. Click the following to learn more: College Skills Toolkit.

YEAR 2 ELIGIBILITY

Students are not required to complete a second year with Canyons Promise. However, if a student wants to continue their benefits with Canyons Promise for a second year, students must meet the eligibility criteria listed below.

  • ​Students must successfully complete requirements of year 1 (above)
  • Students must complete their first academic year (ending spring) as part of Canyons Promise (must be part of Year 1 Canyons Promise)
  • Earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA by the end of their first academic year (ending spring)
  • Successfully complete a minimum of 24 units by the end of their first academic year (ending spring)
  • Remain in good standing with the college
  • Submit a new FAFSA or CA Dream Act for every academic year
  • Students must continue full-time student status and must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Canyons Promise does not admit any new students mid-year or in the middle of their educational journey. Students must be part of Canyons Promise at the beginning of their first year at COC.