Virtual Front Desk
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Hours
Currently closed, please call us at (831) 755-6723 or email us at svp@hartnell.edu.
Salinas Valley Promise Frequently Asked Questions
Program Eligibility
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.
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)every academic year, in addition to completion of other eligibility requirements and steps by the priority deadlines to be in the program.
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 four ways:
- Counseling courses: COU-1, COU-21, or COU-23
- Summer Math Academy (August)
- Dual Enrollment Student (completed while in high school)
- 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
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.
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.
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
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.)
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
Enrollment Fees & Financial Aid
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.
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).
At the present, we are not offering the Salinas Valley Promise for the summer session.
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.
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.
Yes, you will need to pay the $12 student activity fee out-of-pocket. Financial aid does not cover this.
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.
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.
Program Information
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.
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.