Pinal Promise is Central Arizona College aid for young people who live in Pinal County and graduate from an approved public or charter high school in the county. It is not a scholarship for all of Arizona: residence and high school are separate filters. CAC’s official partner-school list helps identify eligible campuses; the college also explains how online schools are treated and excludes homeschool students from the published cycle. Before planning a budget, confirm that both your school and residence meet the rules for your cohort.
The award is last-dollar aid: CAC applies other assistance first, excluding student loans, and Promise covers eligible remaining in-state tuition need. The college describes four consecutive fall and spring semesters, up to two academic years. It is not an open-ended scholarship for every bill or a guarantee of housing, books, food, or transportation. The calculation depends on the student’s aid package and continued enrolment in a CAC degree or certificate programme.
For May 2026 graduates, the page required students to start at CAC in the fall immediately after graduation, complete the 2026–27 FAFSA, submit the CAC scholarship application, and upload a diploma or unofficial transcript showing the graduation date. It also listed 20 community-service hours. Students who had not completed them before graduation could finish during the first year, within the college’s deadline. The page set a 12–20 credit load each semester and required a CAC degree or certificate path.
Renewal depends on steady progress: a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, at least nine completed credits per semester, continuous fall-to-spring enrolment, and a new FAFSA each year. The office reviews eligibility at the end of each semester; missing documents may trigger a notice in CAC email or the portal. Do not assume renewal happens simply because you received the first award: check the Student Portal and respond to verification requests.
The 2026–27 application ran from January 5 through July 1, 2026. It had closed by October 12, and the page did not show the next cycle’s dates. Reviewing requirements now can help, but do not reuse an old date as a future deadline. Prepare proof of residence, high-school records, service hours, and FAFSA; wait for CAC to publish the next rules before applying. The Pinal Promise profile summarises coverage and contacts, while the CAC Financial Aid profile explains how to check federal-aid records and notices.
Families can separate the process into two questions: do I qualify based on address and school, and what tuition balance remains after other aid? The programme’s school list and rules answer the first; a college review answers the second. The office lists finaid@centralaz.edu and 520-494-5425. Do not pay a bill based on an informal estimate; ask the institution to explain which charges the package covers and which remain.
Pinal Promise — requisitos y convocatorias — Central Arizona College.
Paying for College — FAFSA — Central Arizona College.
Information checked on October 12, 2026 against official pages. Applications, award amounts, eligibility, and dates change by cohort and funding availability; confirm the new cycle before applying or committing expenses.
Pinal Promise may help with uncovered in-state tuition, but only for graduates who meet residence, school, and academic-progress rules. The 2026–27 application closed July 1; confirm the next cycle directly with CAC.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Pinal Promise — ayuda de matrícula de Central Arizona College
Central Arizona College, 8470 N. Overfield Road, Coolidge, AZ 85128
A last-dollar scholarship for remaining in-state tuition at CAC after aid other than student loans; up to two consecutive academic years. For the May 2026 graduate cohort, requirements included residence and graduation from an approved Pinal County public or charter high school, FAFSA, at least 20 service hours, 12–20 credits each semester, and renewal with a 2.0 cumulative GPA and at least nine completed credits.
Local tuition scholarship for eligible graduates of Pinal County public or charter high schools
Central Arizona College Financial Aid — orientación para FAFSA y ayudas
Central Arizona College, Signal Peak Campus, 8470 N. Overfield Road, Coolidge, AZ 85128
Institutional guidance for FAFSA, Student Portal notices, and aid-document review. The college distinguishes scholarships, grants, loans, and Pinal Promise; the office cannot guarantee eligibility or an award amount before reviewing the file.
College financial-aid office and application support
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Central Arizona College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Central Arizona 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
Central Arizona College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Pinal Promise — ayuda de matrícula de Central Arizona College ↗
Primary source
Central Arizona 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
Central Arizona College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Central Arizona College Financial Aid — orientación para FAFSA y ayudas ↗
Primary source
Central Arizona College · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.