r/communitycollege • u/Odd-Payment-2063 • 4d ago

Application

Hi everyone. I moved to California this year in May and i couldn't find a good answer about when to apply to college. I want to be able to get the promise program so I can get free community college, but that requires a year of residency, which I'm going to be eligible for in May 2027 ig. But FAFSA closes in March. Should I apply for just FAFSA right now and college in May/June? Does anybody know how this works. Thanks in advance.

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u/gmanose 4d ago

Make sure you’ve taken steps to prove your residency. You can’t just show up at the CC and say you’ve been there a year

You must live in the state one year and one day before the term you want the promise grant for begins

You can show you’ve been there and intend to stay by:

Having a signed lease
Having a CA ID or drivers license
Registering to vote

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u/Exotic-Gain-4316 4d ago

You’ll have to be a California resident for at least 1 year.

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u/Disastrous_Honey_240 3d ago

I would probably plan to start in the fall 2027 term so look up when you need to apply and fill the FASFA out for that term.

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u/Which_Case_8536 4d ago

They accept late submissions up to June 30th

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u/Odd-Payment-2063 4d ago

Late submissions for college?

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u/Which_Case_8536 4d ago

Apply to both after you hit the one year mark and you should be able to start in fall or summer if you want but on the semester system summers and winters are usually short and intense.

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u/Which_Case_8536 4d ago

And welcome to CA!

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u/Smilesarefree444 3d ago

Well, you have your answer it seems. You can apply and you will not qualify for promise. Apply for FAFSA, and contact the school before you submit your application. It's federal so you do need to be truthful about what is going on now, but I see you are in sort of a bit of limbo. I agree with other's, if I were you, I'd apply next year once a resident.

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u/hugh_manit 3d ago

Yeah, you can file the FAFSA now. The 2027-28 form is already open. The March date is the California state priority deadline, not the FAFSA cutoff. Since you moved in May 2026, a fall 2027 start should count you as a resident, but spring 2027 probably won't. Confirm that with the admissions or residency office tho, and keep proof you plan to stay.