Posted: October 2, 2018Written by: Lauren Milbourne

Tags: 2018, featured, press release

In an effort to streamline the Cuesta College admission application and financial aid processes for students, those interested in attending Cuesta College in the Fall of 2019 can currently apply for admission, financial aid, and scholarships. All three online applications - including the Cuesta Promise Scholarship application – open October 1, 2018, the same day that the Fall 2019 admission application, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application, and the California Dream Act application become available.

“Our goal is for students to be able to complete their FAFSA, general college application, and scholarship application in one sitting, rather than having to come back on three separate dates to complete these applications,” said Cuesta College Director of Financial Aid Patrick Scott. “We launched this process last year and found that it was efficient and positive for students, and essentially set them up for success before even stepping foot onto the college campus.”

Cuesta College Foundation scholarships are open to all incoming and continuing Cuesta College students. The scholarships reward and assist students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills, and success in making progress toward a degree or certificate at Cuesta College. Scholarship monies can be used for tuition, textbooks, and other expenses.

“We encourage all students to apply for scholarships; many who think they won’t qualify for one end up getting multiple awards,” said Scott. For the 2018-19 academic year, the Cuesta College Foundation awarded more scholarships and more money to more students than ever before. A total of 248 students received 486 scholarships, equating to nearly $385K being awarded. “The Cuesta College Foundation offers a wide array of scholarships, with criteria ranging from general to specific. Some examples of specific awards include those for current or prospective English as a Second Language students, female veterans, students with a disability, and more.”

The Cuesta Promise Scholarship offers a fee-free two years to all recently graduated San Luis Obispo County high school students, including those who received their GED or are home-schooled. The Promise pays enrollment fees, the health fee, and more. Since it launched in the fall of 2014, nearly 3,000 students have received the Promise. In June of 2018, the college announced that it was further expanding access to higher education with the expansion of the Cuesta College Promise Scholarship to include a second year of fee-free education.

The FAFSA is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid. The California Dream Act allows some undocumented students to apply for state-based financial aid.

The deadline to apply for Cuesta College’s general scholarships is March 2, 2019; the priority deadline to apply for the Promise Scholarship is also March 2, 2019. Students can apply for the Promise Scholarship through August 1, 2019; however, they will no longer be eligible for the 2019-20 general scholarships after March 2. To apply for both the general scholarships and the Promise Scholarship, click here.

The Fall 2019 semester begins August 12, 2019, and runs through December 13, 2019. Class schedules will be available in April 2019.