Palomar Promise is a Palomar College program, at a public community college in northern San Diego County. It combines tuition and textbook support with coaching and advising so a new student can plan coursework. It is not an automatic scholarship for everyone admitted: students submit a Promise application and the college later verifies the file.
The 2026–27 information describes up to two years of support for first-time college students who meet California residency or AB 540 classification rules and complete FAFSA or CADAA. The program also requires full-time enrollment—12 units—and academic progress, including the published minimum GPA. Ask what “first-time” means if you have dual-enrollment credits, are transferring, or returned after a break.
Palomar lists tuition and textbook support plus specialized coaching; use its FAQ to check the book-credit limit, exact charges, and which components vary by year. Do not read the program as covering housing, meals, transit, or every fee. Funding is limited, and the college may prioritize complete files, so eligibility does not guarantee the entire package described.
The Fall 2026 deadline was August 28 and final eligibility review ended September 4; both dates have passed. Do not present that calendar as open. For the next cohort, monitor the official site, file FAFSA/CADAA early, and ask Promise whether the next-cycle form is available. Palomar lists its main phone as 760-744-1150, extension 3931 for Promise; request written confirmation of the date and amount in your award letter.
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.
Palomar Promise — Palomar College.
Palomar Promise FAQ — Palomar College.
Financial Aid — Palomar 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.
Palomar Promise may combine tuition, books, and coaching; Fall 2026 is closed and the next date must be confirmed.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Palomar Promise
Up to two years of aid subject to eligibility and funding; exact charges are confirmed in the student file.
Promise tuition, textbook, and academic-support program
Palomar College Financial Aid and Promise Office
Provides guidance on FAFSA, CADAA, aid, enrollment rules, and student-file review.
Palomar College financial-aid and Promise office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Palomar College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Palomar College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Palomar 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
Palomar College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Palomar Promise ↗
Primary source
Palomar 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
Palomar College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Palomar College Financial Aid and Promise Office ↗
Primary source
Palomar College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.