Richmond Promise is a community scholarship for young graduates from Richmond and North Richmond, California. Residence matters: the 2026–27 rule requires an address in one of those communities, graduation from an eligible high school within West Contra Costa Unified boundaries, and consecutive attendance from grades 9 through 12. The FAQ allows certain recent graduates and GED recipients but defines specific year windows. Do not assume every Contra Costa County student, or someone who moves after graduation, automatically qualifies.
The listed award is $1,500 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $6,000. If an education path takes longer, students may petition for up to two additional years; the organisation reviews the request, and extra funding is not automatic. The scholarship can be used at an eligible nonprofit two- or four-year college or career-technical programme in the United States. The institution receives the funds and applies them to its calculated cost of attendance; whether a balance is released depends on the college’s policy.
Handle the next application calendar carefully. The 2026 application opened December 1, 2025 and closed March 16, 2026. The official page says 2027 scholarship information will be posted in December 2026; as of October 12, no new application was open. Future applicants should use the new call, not assume the March deadline repeats unchanged every year. Students may apply during senior year or within two years after high school/GED, generally before turning 24.
FAFSA or California Dream Act is part of the process when the student is eligible to complete one of them. Richmond Promise says applicants do not file both; the correct route depends on federal eligibility and California categories such as AB 540. In general, FAFSA serves citizens and eligible noncitizens, while CADAA serves groups specified by the state commission. The organisation recommends creating a Federal Student Aid account early and preparing proof of address, such as a utility bill. Completing these steps alone does not guarantee selection.
Selected scholars must attend summer transition programming, claim the award, upload proof of enrolment and a FAFSA or CADAA summary, attend workshops, and meet with a peer counsellor. The organisation sends funds to the college after verifying enrolment; processing can take a month or more after term begins, and each institution has its own timeline. Annual renewal commonly requires 12 units each term, a GPA of at least 2.0, and a new financial-aid application. The Richmond Promise profile gathers eligibility and coverage; the College Access profile offers a guidance route.
A useful family checklist separates money from support. The scholarship can lower the bill, while Richmond Promise also offers admission, financial-aid, and transition guidance; neither replaces a high-school counsellor or the college’s financial-aid office. Book a virtual appointment to ask which records to prepare, which state aid application fits your situation, and when the next scholarship cycle opens. Before sharing personal information, use links reached from the official site and keep each confirmation.
Richmond Promise Scholarship — cohorte, requisitos y monto — Richmond Promise.
Office Hours — apoyo virtual de college access — Richmond Promise.
Student Resources — FAFSA y becas — Richmond Promise.
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.
Richmond Promise combines a renewable scholarship with guidance, but depends on residence, school history, FAFSA/CADAA, and annual renewal. The 2026 application is closed; 2027 information is due in December 2026.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Richmond Promise Scholarship — beca para residentes de Richmond y North Richmond
Richmond, California (consultas y orientación mediante citas virtuales)
A $1,500 annual scholarship renewable for four years ($6,000), with a petition option for up to two additional years. For the 2026–27 cohort, applicants needed a Richmond or North Richmond address, an eligible high school and consecutive attendance from grades 9–12, plus FAFSA or California Dream Act as applicable. It can be used at eligible nonprofit two- or four-year institutions or CTE programmes in the United States.
Renewable community scholarship for eligible Richmond and North Richmond, California graduates
Richmond Promise College Access — orientación individual para solicitar ayuda universitaria
Richmond, California (citas virtuales con el equipo College Access)
Virtual guidance for high-school students with FAFSA, college, and scholarship questions, and for current scholars seeking college, progress, or career-transition advice. An appointment provides support; it does not replace an application or automatically award funding.
Local college-access, FAFSA, and scholarship guidance service
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Richmond Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Richmond Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Richmond Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Richmond Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Richmond Promise Scholarship — beca para residentes de Richmond y North Richmond ↗
Primary source
Richmond Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Richmond Promise Scholarship — beca para residentes de Richmond y North Richmond ↗
Primary source
Richmond Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Richmond Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Richmond Promise College Access — orientación individual para solicitar ayuda universitaria ↗
Primary source
Richmond Promise · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.