The Long Beach College Promise is a local partnership linking Long Beach high schools with Long Beach City College (LBCC) and California State University, Long Beach. For eligible students, it is more than a fee waiver: it includes preparation, transition support, and a preferred CSULB admission pathway subject to major and transfer requirements.
LBCC support targets graduates of Long Beach Unified or participating schools who move directly into college for the first time, meet California residency or AB 540 rules, and file FAFSA/CADAA. The program expects at least 12 units and participation in its support sequence. Ask your high school to confirm that your graduation and cohort appear in its records before assuming eligibility.
The published commitment covers tuition for up to two years of Fall and Spring classes at LBCC; do not promise that books, rent, meals, transit, summer, or every fee is paid. The transfer component lets students seek preferred admission to CSULB, but selection depends on the major, coursework, and current university conditions. Each student needs a course plan meeting both degree and transfer agreements.
The Fall 2026 cycle had a final date of September 26, which has passed. Do not invent a Fall 2027 deadline: check the program portal and LBCC office when the next cohort is announced. Current LBCC students should request an audit of units and CSULB requirements; before accepting other aid, ask how it coordinates with tuition and what may cover excluded costs.
Do not compare programs by the phrase “free tuition” alone. Ask the college for a written budget separating tuition, mandatory fees, books, transportation, housing, and meals, and ask which other grants are deducted before this award is calculated. A last-dollar scholarship may cover only eligible charges left after Pell and institutional aid.
Keep confirmation for every application and check your student portal: FAFSA/CADAA, residency verification, a transcript, education plan, or data-release consent may still be missing. If the current cycle deadline has passed, ask whether an appeal or late list exists, but prepare for the next cycle without assuming late documents will be accepted. Use the linked profiles to identify the administrator and official channel.
Aid can affect other awards and renewals. Before dropping credits, changing campuses, taking a break, or accepting a loan, ask in writing how your award would be recalculated and what academic progress is required. A published maximum is not an individual offer: the final amount depends on funding, eligible charges, other aid, and your file.
Long Beach College Promise — Long Beach City College.
Long Beach College Promise partnership — Long Beach College Promise.
Viking Advantage — Long Beach City College.
Information checked on October 12, 2026 against official sources. Past deadlines are identified as such; eligibility does not guarantee an award. Before enrolling, confirm the current cycle, available funding, and covered charges with the program and your college financial-aid office.
Confirm your high school participates and separate tuition support from books, living costs, and CSULB transfer requirements.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Long Beach College Promise
Up to two years of LBCC tuition and transition support; CSULB pathway has separate admission conditions.
Local college-access, tuition, and transfer partnership
Long Beach City College Student Services
Supports FAFSA/CADAA, admissions, enrollment, and referrals to the campus Promise team.
LBCC student services and financial aid
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Long Beach City College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Long Beach College Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Long Beach City College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Long Beach College Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Long Beach College Promise ↗
Primary source
Long Beach City College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Long Beach City College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Long Beach City College Student Services ↗
Primary source
Long Beach College Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.