Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Taking a college course during the summer term does not affect your eligibility for Pirates' Promise. In fact, starting in the summer term will help you complete your educational goals faster!

Students interested in being part of the Pirates' Promise cohort must meet the eligibility criteria: First-Time College Student and CA Resident or AB 540. Students who meet the eligibility criteria then need to complete the sign-up process:

1. Apply to OCC
2. Apply for FAFSA or CA Dream Act
3. Submit the Pirates' Promise Interest Form

No. They are two different things.

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) is a fee waiver awarded through financial aid based on the information students entered on the FAFSA. CCPG waives the $46/unit enrollment fee for students.

Pirates' Promise is a comprehensive student success program with a financial component. To be part of the Pirates' Promise, students must sign up for the program. Even if you do not qualify for financial aid, students can be part of Pirates' Promise. 

Pirates' Promise will cover tuition during the primary terms - fall and spring - for two years for students in the cohort who meet the program requirements. Pirates' Promise will also cover the following OCC non-tuition fees: student representation fee, student health fee, and college service charge.

No, unfortunately, Pirates’ Promise support only covers primary terms (Fall and Spring).
Summer courses are not included under Pirates’ Promise tuition and fee support at this time.

Yes, all certificate programs are eligible under Pirates' Promise, including but not limited to OCC's Certificate of Achievement programs in Welding Technology, Residential Electrical, and Aviation Science.

No. Pirates’ Promise does not use CPOS-approved units to determine eligibility. As long as you are enrolled full-time (12 units or the ARC full-time equivalent) and taking the majority of your courses at OCC, all of your units are counted toward Pirates’ Promise eligibility.

Students in the Pirates' Promise cohort must maintain a cumulative GPA above a 2.0. Students who receive a GPA below 2.0 will go into warning status. Students in warning status will have 1 semester to improve their status to maintain their eligibility. In addition, they will need to meet with a counselor to create an improvement plan.

Students who stay on warning for 2 semesters, will lose eligibility. 

Students in the Pirates' Promise cohort must maintain full time enrollment (12 units at OCC). Students who receive an accommodation plan from the ARC for less than 12 units will meet the full-time enrollment requirement. Students who drop below full-time enrollment will go into warning status. Students in warning status will have 1 semester to improve their status to maintain their eligibility. In addition, they will need to meet with a counselor to create an improvement plan.

Students who stay on warning for 2 semesters, will lose eligibility. 

Students who receive an accommodation plan from the ARC for less than 12 units will meet the full-time enrollment requirement. Please be sure to provide the Pirates' Promise team a copy of your plan, by emailing them at piratespromise@occ.cccd.edu. Remember, the program benefits are only for two years and will not be extended.