College Promise

Product or Programme · All products and programmes
Evidence · 3 claims (3 for) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description

A place-based postsecondary access and completion framework combining financial assistance, student supports, early messaging, and cross-sector collaboration, used by College Promise programmes and their partners.

Components

• College Promise as a comprehensive place-based access and completion model combining financial assistance, student support services, early messaging, and cross-sector collaboration: The Guidebook frames College Promise as more than financial aid: "A strong program also provides students and their families with targeted student support services and early messaging about program benefits and requirements." Programs are collaborative, engaging education institutions, nonprofits, local government, and philanthropy, and increasingly serve part-time students, GED completers, and incumbent workers alongside recent high school graduates attending full time. More than 300 programs across 44 states are reported nationwide. The model aligns with California's Vision for Success goals of increasing completion and transfer and reducing equity gaps. (Rauner et al. (2019))

Claims

• College Promise programs are defined by place-based eligibility and direct financial support, and all 42 California programs met these criteria in fall 2017 [+W]
• Most stakeholders believe College Promise programs will persist in California, with sustainability contingent on political and financial support [+W]
• Interviewees unanimously predicted College Promise will improve college enrollment, persistence, and completion, and most expected institutional changes [+W]

Related Products and Programmes

• California College Promise Guidebook
• Adult Promise initiative
• Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP)
• Project QUEST

Key Sources

• Rauner, Lundquist, & Smith. (2019). The College Promise Guidebook for California and Beyond. WestEd. https://californiacollegepromise.wested.org/guidebookresources/

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	product
id	college-promise
title	College Promise
description	A place-based postsecondary access and completion framework combining financial assistance, student supports, early messaging, and cross-sector collaboration, used by College Promise programmes and their partners.
status	review
product_kind	framework
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-10
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content

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