Free Tuition for Two Years
Start strong, graduate debt-free. The Río Promise Program eliminates all enrollment fees for your first two academic years (Fall and Spring terms) at Río Hondo College—saving tuition costs while you earn a certificate, associate degree, or complete lower-division units for transfer to a CSU, UC, or private university. Funded by California’s AB 19 College Promise initiative, this award is open to first-time college students of any age or income level and pairs free tuition with dedicated counseling, priority registration, and year-round success coaching.
Year 1 Requirements
- Be a first-time or returning college student
- Be a California resident (Eligible AB540/ Dream Act status) for in-state tuition fees
- Earned a High School diploma, GED, or equivalency
- Enroll in a minimum of 12+ units* (unless 6+ units are approved by the Disabled Students Program and Services) in Fall and Spring
- Submit a financial aid application (FAFSA/California Dream Act) and complete all required forms from the Financial Aid office
- Maintain good Student Academic Progress (SAP) status
- Pursue an eligible program of study — AA/AS degree or certificate
Year 2 Requirements
- Have been enrolled as a first-time college student during the previous academic school year
- Enroll in a minimum of 12+ units* (unless 6+ units are approved by the Disabled Students Program and Services) in Fall and Spring
- Submit a financial aid application (FAFSA /California Dream Act) and complete all required forms from the Financial Aid office
- Maintain good Student Academic Progress (SAP) status
- Pursue an eligible program of study — AA/AS degree or certificate
*If you receive support from the Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS), your DSPS counselor may approve you to take fewer than 12 units.
No Application Required
Student who meet ALL eligibility requirements by the start of the Fall and Spring semester will have their enrollment fees covered early in the semester. Ready to get started?
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some of the common frequently asked questions about the Río Promise Program.
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Q1. Are students required to enroll in 12+ units consecutively every primary semester they attend (Fall and Spring) to receive the Río Promise (AB19) fee waiver?
NO. Students are allowed to have gaps in consecutive primary semesters without being disqualified and still remain eligible for the Río Promise award, as long as they do not exceed four primary semesters of receiving it. For any Río Promise-related inquiries, visit the Student Success Center or meet with a Río Promise counselor.
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Q2. What is census?
Census coincides with the last day of the add/drop period with a refund. It typically occurs a few weeks after the start of the semester and varies based on the length of the term. Students must been rolled in 12+ units by the census date(see the class schedule for the add/drop deadline).
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Q3. I qualify for the Río Promise program, but already paid my tuition in advance. Will I receive a refund?
YES. For eligible Río Promise students who paid their tuition out-of-pocket, a full refund will be applied to their account before the end of the current semester. Refunds are sent as a check by mail.
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Q4. If I did not register or maintain at least 12 units by the add/drop with a refund date, will my tuition fees be covered by Río Promise?
NO. Your tuition fees will not be covered for that semester. However, you can still qualify for the Río Promise and have your tuition fees paid in future semesters if you meet the eligibility requirements.
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Q5. If I drop below the college’s full-time status of fewer than 12 units, but enrolled in a short-term class, can I still qualify?
YES. You must enroll in a short term class (8-week or 10-week),
during the second half of the Fall or Spring semester to make up those units and reach the 12-unit requirement. We strongly
encourage you to speak with a Río Promise counselor for guidance. -
Q6. Do Río Promise students have to start in the Fall immediately after high school graduation to use the Río Promise award?
NO. The Río Promise Program is open to any first-time college
student who has graduated from high school or completed a
GED, regardless of age, high school graduation date, or zip code. -
Q7. After registering for my Río Hondo courses, I noticed that I have a balance due. How is this addressed if I anticipate financial aid through the Río Promise (AB19) fee waiver?
You DO NOT need to pay your enrollment fees at this time, even though a balance is noted. Payments to your student account are not required until your financial aid awards (CCPG or Río Promise) is applied. Your registered courses will not be dropped for non-payment while your awards are pending, as long as your FAFSA or CADAA is in our system.
Failure to complete all required Financial Aid forms will delay
payment and could affect your enrollment fees being covered. -
Q8. Will students from a high household income still qualify?
There is no income requirement to be eligible for the Río Promise (AB19) funds. Students must submit a FAFSA or CADAA to qualify.
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Q9. If a student qualified for the CCPG (BOG fee waiver) during their first year but no longer qualify in their second year or vice versa, can they still be considered forthe Río Promise award?
YES. Students who received the CCPG in their first year but no longer qualify in their second year will instead be granted the Río Promise award if they meet all program eligibility requirements.
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Q10. Can students receive both CCPG and Río Promise awards?
NO. AB19 awards are only for students who do not qualify for a CCPG (formerly known as the BOG fee waiver) and meet other requirements.
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Q11. Is there a priority deadline to sign up for Río Promise?
YES. Students must meet all qualifications and complete all
Promise requirements by the priority deadline of February 15th. For example, if a student‘s first semester is Fall 2024 or Spring 2025, they must have all steps completed by February 15th, 2025 to be eligible for the Río Promise (AB19) fee waiver. -
Q12. What is the maximum units I can enroll in to receive Río Promise?
Río Promise students may enroll in up to a maximum of 18-units per semester without counselor approval (or up to 7 units for Winter).
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Q13. Do all degree and certificate programs qualify for Río Promise?
NO. You must declare in an eligible program of study leading to an A.A./A.S. degree, a certificate, or a transfer program.
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Q14. I receive the BOG Fee Waiver. Am I eligible for the Río Promise Program?
No, students who receive the Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver are not eligible for the Río Promise Program. The Río Promise is designed to assist first-time college students who do not already qualify for tuition coverage through programs like the Pell Grant, Cal Grant, or the BOG Fee Waiver. Students may only benefit from one of these tuition support programs, not multiple.
Unsure of your Eligibility?
Schedule an appointment today with a Río Promise counselor to see if you qualify for the program and meet the eligibility requirements. The Student Success Center is here to support ALL Río Promise students!
Location: Learning Resource Center (LRC) Building, Room 101
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (562) 463-6650