Hartnell College is proud to introduce the Summer Momentum Program (SMP) for Summer 2025 that saves eligible students time and money.
The Summer Momentum Program offers eligible students who earned units in Fall and Spring at Hartnell College to enroll and earn up to 9 units tuition-free during the Summer term. This program is a last-dollar scholarship that, in most cases, will cover tuition after all other financial aid resources have been awarded.
9 Tuition-Free Units
Hartnell College students enrolled full-time (12+ units) in Fall 2024 who also enrolled in classes at Hartnell College in Spring 2025. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
6 Tuition-Free Units
Hartnell College students enrolled part-time (11 or less units) in Fall 2024 who also enrolled at Hartnell College in Spring 2025. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
3 Tuition-Free Units
Hartnell College students enrolled for the first time in Spring 2025. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
Benefits of the Summer Momentum Program:
- Cost Savings: Free tuition to enroll and earn 3 to 9 units during the summer term, allowing students to significantly reduce expenses.
- Time Efficiency: Students will have the opportunity to earn additional units, making the path to graduation quicker and on time.
- Flexibility: Students can choose courses that fit academic goals and schedules.
Eligibility:
- Any continuing student who enrolled in the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 term is eligible as long as they successfully* completed coursework and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
- Any first-time student (defined below) who is enrolled in the Spring 2025 term is eligible for 3 units.
- Students must have a Hartnell College education plan on file and be seeking a certificate and/or degree.
- All units to be applied toward Summer Momentum Program eligibility must be Hartnell College issued units and be within their education plan.
- Students must be in good academic standing.
- Must have a 2024-2025 FAFSA/California Dream Act or a California Promise Grant application on file.
* Successful completion of coursework includes the following grade assignment: A, B, C, D, P. Grade assignments F and W are not eligible and will not count toward eligibility.
Deadlines:
Must submit a 2024-2025 FAFSA or CADAA by Thursday, May 1, 2025 or
Must submit a CA Promise Grant Application by Thursday, May 1, 2025
Requirements:
- All units to be applied toward Summer Momentum Program eligibility must be Hartnell College issued units. Transferred units do not apply.
- Students must take courses within their education plans.
Ineligibility:
- Students above 60 earned units are not eligible with the exception of students accepted into programs that require more than 60 units for completion.
- Units from 4th attempt coursework are ineligible
Am I Eligible for the Summer Momentum Program?
Student Type and Eligibility
| Student Type | Eligible? | Enrollment and GPA, and other requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Continuing Student |
Yes |
|
|
First-Time in College Student |
Yes |
|
|
Transfer Student |
Yes |
Eligibility is contingent on when the student transferred to Hartnell College. Transfer must have occurred during Fall or Spring term. |
|
Visiting Student |
No |
|
|
Returning Student |
No |
|
|
F1, J1 International Student |
No |
|
|
Graduating High School Seniors who took dual enrollment courses at Hartnell College |
Yes |
|
|
Non-Resident Students who qualify for Exemptions for Non-Resident Tuition (AB540, AB2000, SB68 and SB1141) |
Yes |
|
|
Out-of-state students |
Yes |
|
Program Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Conditional eligibility will be determined in early April 2025. Admissions and Records will contact eligible students via email.
Yes, a 2024-2025 FAFSA/California Dream Act or a California Promise Grant application must be completed.
- 12 successfully completed units in Fall 2024 and enrolled in Spring 2025 grants eligibility for up to 9 tuition-free units.
- Less than 12 successfully completed units in Fall 2024 and enrolled in Spring 2025 grants eligibility for up to 6 tuition-free units.
- First-time college students who began classes for the first time in Spring 2025 at Hartnell College (and do not have previously earned college units) grants eligibility for up to 3 tuition-free units.
Out-of-state students: To qualify, students must have successfully completed 12 units in the Fall 2024 and be enrolled in 12 units in Spring 2025.
Additional courses past the tuition-free units earned will not be covered by the Summer Momentum Program, at which point the student will be financially responsible to cover costs.
- Only units earned at Hartnell College will be counted toward meeting eligibility. Transferred units are not counted as earned units.
- Completed courses must be within the student’s education plan.
No. Tuition-free units must be applied during Summer 2025.
The Summer Momentum Program tuition-free units cover only courses within a student's education plan. Courses that do not count toward your degree or certificate will not be covered.
Yes, all students must complete a 2024-2025 FAFSA or California Dream Act or California Promise Grant Application to be eligible for the Summer Momentum Program.
Student Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, graduating high school seniors who enrolled in Fall and Spring as dual enrollment students can qualify, as long as they also meet other eligibility criteria:
- 2.0 GPA
- Education plan on file
- Completed a 2024-2025 FAFSA or California Dream Act or California Promise Grant Application
Yes. SMP eligibility is verified manually and there may be delays in eligibility verification.
No. Students who may be SMP-eligible will not be dropped for non-payment until their eligibility is confirmed or denied. Eligible students will receive an email confirming their eligibility for SMP. The student is responsible to make payments on any remaining balance. Any unpaid tuition and fee balance may result in a student being dropped from all courses.
Tuition awards will be applied after the spring term ends, once the following information is verified:
- Cumulative Hartnell College GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Total number of units completed in Fall and Spring
- Chosen courses are part of the student's education plan
- Each student's eligibility is verified manually, so the exact date that tuition will be credited will vary.
The Summer Momentum Program will only cover tuition. It will not cover instructional materials or books, student activity fees, student representation fees, or parking fees.
Please contact the Cashier’s Office : cashiers@hartnell.edu. Students are encouraged to visit the Registration/ Payment Calendar for payment deadlines and payment plan availability.
A student’s account will be charged as usual, and payment will be automatically applied. There is no need to pay upfront unless you enroll in additional units above your eligible 3, 6 or 9 tuition-free units of which you are eligible for under the Summer Momentum Program.
The student is responsible to make payments on any remaining balance, according to the Registration/Payment Calendar.
Yes. The Summer Momentum Program is a last-dollar scholarship that will cover tuition after all other financial aid resources have been awarded.
Sponsored (3rd party billing) tuition assistance can be used for any remaining tuition and fee balance for the term that is not covered by the 3, 6, or 9 tuition-free units with a few exceptions including VA education benefits.
No. The Summer Momentum Program is a non-refundable program.
Yes as long as eligibility requirements are met.
In some cases, other federal aid such as loans or work-study may be adjusted when necessary if the student does not have sufficient “unmet need” to be compliant with federal regulations.