Richmond Promise Scholarship — beca para residentes de Richmond y North Richmond

Richmond Promise is a community scholarship for young people in Richmond and North Richmond, California. For the 2026–27 cohort, the programme required a residential address in those communities and graduation—or an eligible GED/equivalency period—from a school within the West Contra Costa Unified area. The published rule also requires consecutive attendance at an eligible high school from grades 9 through 12. Living elsewhere in Contra Costa County without the specific address and school history is not enough.

The listed award is $1,500 per year for four years, up to $6,000, with a petition option for as many as two additional years if needed for the student’s education path. It can support study at eligible nonprofit two- or four-year colleges and CTE programmes in the United States. The college calculates the cost of attendance and receives the payment; it determines how any excess is applied, so students should not budget it as an immediate rent or food cheque.

This is more than a scholarship form. Richmond Promise says it helps families complete the application and supports the transition from high school to college. After selection, students must claim the award, provide proof of enrolment, and take part in summer transition programming: an RP 101 workshop, award and FAFSA/Dream Act documents, two topic workshops, and peer counselling. The school or college processes enrolment, and the scholarship is sent to the institution, usually after the term begins.

For the 2026 cycle, applications opened December 1, 2025 and closed March 16, 2026. As of October 12, 2026, the site said 2027 scholarship information would be posted in December 2026; do not present the previous cycle as open. New applicants could apply during senior year or up to two years after graduation, with a general age limit of 24; FAFSA or California Dream Act had to be completed by the state Cal Grant deadline, subject to the programme’s stated exceptions.

Renewal normally requires full-time study—12 or more units per term—a 2.0 cumulative GPA, an annual FAFSA or CADAA when applicable, and a summer renewal application. The rules provide exceptions for a registered disability or custodial parent. The published renewal schedule lists July 14 for fall and December 31 for winter/spring; missing a deadline can delay payment, although an appeal may be reviewed. Students can transfer the scholarship from a two-year to a four-year college with planning support.

Richmond Promise advises families to create a Federal Student Aid account early, gather proof of address such as a utility bill, and use the correct aid application: FAFSA for federally eligible students, or CADAA for AB 540 students and other California groups listed by the programme. The [Richmond Promise scholarship profile](data-profile="richmond-promise") explains amount and eligibility; the [College Access team](data-profile="richmond-college-access") offers virtual appointments for FAFSA, college applications, and scholarship questions. Before uploading information, confirm that you are using the official portal and save a record of each submission.

Who it serves and what it can cover: 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.

How to apply or get help: Richmond Promise: scholarships@richmondpromise.org; published phone 510-230-0422. Request College Access appointments online; meetings are virtual. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.

Official application and program information