The City of Ontario believes that all our community member should be able to follow their dreams to attend a vocational or higher learning institution. To help fulfill this dream, the City of Ontario has established a tuition reimbursement program.
The tuition reimbursement program is for Ontario residents who enroll as full-time students (12 units) at a California Community College of the student’s choice within three years of their high school graduation. The program provides full tuition reimbursement for up to two consecutive years for eligible students who do not already qualify for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), formerly known as the Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver or any other program that covers tuition.
To provide this service, the City of Ontario partners with the Ontario-Montclair Schools Foundation Promise Scholars program, whose mission is to prepare all students to be successful as they enter the workforce. The Ontario City Council’s goal is to expand access to higher education in order to:
- support local economic development initiatives
- encourage students to obtain a vocational
- higher education degree to enhance and retain the workforce in the region
For more information about Ontario's Community College Promise Program, please email CollegePromise@OntarioCA.gov
Apply Below
Qualifications
- Must have lived in the City of Ontario for the 2-year period prior to high school graduation.
- Must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the deadline applicable for their high school senior year. This is a government application that requires information from the student’s parents or guardian’s tax return. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and grants as soon as possible and before the application deadline.
Requirements
- Complete and submit the City of Ontario’s Community College Promise Program application within three years of high school graduation.
- Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) each academic year.
- Register and enroll full-time (12 units) for fall and spring semesters or full-time as defined by the selected California Community College.
- Complete eight (8) hours of community service with Promise Scholars per fall/spring semester.
- Optional: Winter/Summer Intersession
- Register and enroll full-time (4-units) and complete four (4) hours of community service with Promise Scholars intersession if seeking tuition reimbursement.
- Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in community college coursework.
Residency
To be eligible for the City of Ontario scholarship program, the student must have lived in the City of Ontario for the 2-year period prior to their high school graduation. Proof of residency is required.
Community Colleges
Prospective students must enroll and attend a two-year public community college of their choice that is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an institutional accrediting body authorized to operate by the U.S. Department of Education through the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.
Admission
Prospective students are encouraged to research community colleges within the area to decide which one would be the best fit for them in pursuit of their goals. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and submit an application for admission to the community college of their choice. Upon receiving a letter of acceptance, the student is to download and review their registration packet, contact the counseling department to schedule an assessment and orientation, and begin registering for classes.
Fees
(Tuition Fees are set and periodically updated by the State of California)
The City of Ontario tuition reimbursement program only covers tuition fees. Students must pay all other costs – books, health fees, student ID card, transportation, food, housing and other fees.
All students who accept Ontario's Community College Promise Program's tuition reimbursement are asked to release the use of their photos and potentially confidential information to the City of Ontario and the Ontario-Montclair Schools Foundation (i.e. Promise Scholars). Such confidential information includes major, hometown and information related to scholarship requirements. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires student consent to disclose personal and educational information to any individual. Students may grant their permission to release their educational information. In order to provide officials of the City of Ontario and the Ontario-Montclair Schools Foundation with required information about their scholarship recipients, we are asking that you agree to the terms of this Scholarship Information Release Form by signing and returning this form to the Economic Development Agency of the City of Ontario.
Students who attend partner colleges in the County of San Bernardino area enjoy unlimited rides on Omnitrans’ fixed routes. Current partner schools include: Chaffey College, Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. See Omnitrans’ website for additional program information. GoSmart students save on gas and car expenses and avoid parking hassles at school by utilizing this program. Unlimited rides are available to GoSmart students on all Omnitrans fixed route buses, OmniGo buses and the new sbX express service.