Butte College graduates sit at commencement.

Butte College for Free

Your Dream Starts Today

Butte College offers free tuition through two main programs. If you're a first-time, full-time student, you may qualify for the Butte College Promise Scholarship, which covers up to two years of tuition and fees.  Students who meet income or financial need requirements may also be eligible for the California College Promise Grant.  

Both programs make it easier to attend college without worrying about tuition costs. 

Butte College Promise Scholarship

First-time Full Time Enrolled Students
The Butte College Promise Scholarship covers up to two years of tuition and fees for first-time, full-time students. This scholarship is not based on financial need—it's available to all eligible students who meet the enrollment and application requirements. See below for details on how to qualify and maintain your eligibility. 
 
 

California Promise Scholarship

Based on Financial Need
The California College Promise Grant waives enrollment fees for eligible students who are California residents or have AB 540 status. This grant is based on financial need and is available to students who qualify for a Cal Grant or other need-based aid. It helps make college more affordable by covering the per-unit tuition cost. 
 
 
Apply Now More Financial Aid Why Choose Butte

The Butte College Promise Scholarship

The Butte College Promise Scholarship covers up to two years of tuition and fees for first-time, full-time students, with no financial need required.
 
This program will pay for tuition and fees for new, first-time, full-time Butte College students for up to two years.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must be a first-time full-time Butte College student (credits earned in high school do not apply). To be eligible, you must be a California resident or AB540 eligible.

Steps to Apply

  • Apply to Butte College as a new student and finish all enrollment steps.
  • Submit your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for the current academic year by the census date (about two weeks after the term starts).
  • Enroll as a full-time student, which is 12 or more units.

Receiving the Scholarship

Students' fees are waived once their eligibility is determined. No direct cash disbursements will occur.  The Butte College Promise Scholarship covers full-time enrollment fees $46 per unit) & full-time “service fees” like transportation and health fees ($119 per semester). 

Keeping the Promise Scholarship 

 To continue eligibility, students must do the following: 

  • Renew their FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by the college census date every year, and 
  • Be enrolled in 12 or more units at the college census date, and 
  • Have completed 12 or more units with at least a 2.0 GPA per term during their first year, or have completed an appeal for extenuating circumstances for reinstatement. 

Butte College Promise Frequently Asked Questions

Books are not covered at this time.

Taking summer courses will not jeopardize your Butte College Promise Scholarship eligibility. Students are responsible for paying for their tuition and fees for any summer courses they choose to enroll in. The Butte College Promise Scholarship covers only the main semesters in an academic year (fall and spring).

Yes

Ready to Begin


Start Here, Go Anywhere!

Start Your FAFSA
California Dream Act Application
530-895-2955 English

California College Promise Grant

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) helps eligible California students attend Butte College tuition-free by covering enrollment fees. This program is not paid as cash—it is applied directly to your student account.

Receiving the CCPG

Once you're approved, the California College Promise Grant will:

  • Waive your enrollment fees (tuition)

  • Does not cover service fees or additional costs like textbooks or lab materials

  • It will be automatically applied to your account each semester you remain eligible

You can lose the grant if you're placed on academic or progress probation for two consecutive primary terms (Fall and Spring). We’ll notify you through your Butte College student email if your eligibility is at risk.

To stay eligible:

  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0

  • Complete at least 50% of your attempted units

Eligibility 

You may qualify for the California College Promise Grant if you:

  • Are a California resident or have AB 540 status

  • Show financial need (minimum $1,104)

  • Receive CalWORKs/TANF, SSI, or General Assistance

  • Fall under a special classification, such as being a dependent of a veteran

How to Apply

To apply for Fall 2024 or Spring 2025:

California College Promise Grant Policy

California Code of Regulations, Title V, Section 58621 requires that Butte College establish, publish, and apply a policy providing that a student who is otherwise eligible for a California College Promise Grant become ineligible if the student is placed on academic or progress probation, or any combination thereof for two consecutive primary terms (Fall and Spring)

To keep your California College Promise Grant (CCPG), you must meet academic and progress standards set by the state and Butte College.

What You Need to Know

Under California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 58621, students lose CCPG eligibility if they are on:

  • Academic probation, or

  • Progress probation, or

  • Both,

for two consecutive primary terms (Fall and Spring).

A break in enrollment of one term or less still counts as consecutive.

If you're determined to be ineligible, you’ll lose your CCPG at your next registration opportunity.

Academic Progress Probation

If you're placed on academic or progress probation, you’ll receive a notice through your Butte College student email within 30 days of the end of the term.

We encourage you to stay on track and utilize free academic support services, such as tutoring and counseling, to help maintain your eligibility.

Academic Standards

The following academic standards apply only to the California College Promise Grant (CCPG):

  • Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.0

  • Minimum cumulative progress rate: 50% (completion of at least half of your attempted units)

You must meet both standards to remain eligible for the CCPG.

Loss of Eligibility

If your GPA or progress rate falls below the minimum for two consecutive semesters, you will lose your CCPG eligibility.

Don’t worry—support is available. Connect with a counselor or visit the Center for Academic Success for tutoring and tools to help you stay on track.

Reinstating Your California College Promise Grant

If you lose your California College Promise Grant (CCPG) due to academic or progress probation, you may be able to get it back through one of the following options:

1. Automatic Reinstatement

You’ll automatically regain CCPG eligibility if:

  • You meet the minimum cumulative academic standards:

    • 2.0 GPA

    • 50% progress rate (completing at least half of your attempted units)

  • You show significant academic improvement in the most recent term—this means earning at least a 2.0 GPA and completing at least 50% of your units.

No appeal required.

2. Appeal for Reinstatement

If extenuating circumstances impacted your academic performance, you may submit an appeal for CCPG reinstatement. Appeals are reviewed case-by-case basis and require documentation of your situation.

Example: medical issues, family emergencies, or other serious life events.

Important Notes

  • If you successfully appeal the loss of your enrollment priority, your CCPG may also be reinstated for that same term.

  • Foster Youth and students with special category fee waivers are not subject to CCPG loss under this policy.

Start Here Go Anywhere

Apply Now Visit Us Class Schedule