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Is the Arizona Promise Program for You?

Is the Arizona Promise Program for You?

Have you heard of the Arizona Promise Program? If you’re a high school senior set to graduate this year and you live in Arizona, read on to learn how to find out if you qualify for free college through the Arizona Promise Program!

What is the Arizona Promise Program?

The Arizona Promise Program helps cover tuition and fees for qualified low-income students!  It provides help if financial aid doesn’t cover the costs otherwise.  This could be an amazing opportunity for a free education!

The Arizona Promise Program began for those enrolled in 2021 and will be awarded to those who qualify in spring 2022.

What does the Arizona Promise Program cover?

If you currently have sources of financial aid, merit scholarships, Pell Grants, or gift aid; those sources will be applied to tuition and fees first.  The Arizona Promise Program is intended to fill in the gaps to cover the rest of the undergraduate tuition and fees.

Fees include: college fees, mandatory student fees, tuition differential charges, Barrett Honors fees, etc.

What does the Arizona Promise Program NOT cover?

The Arizona Promise Program does not cover summer sessions – only fall and spring semesters.  It also does not cover individual course fees, special class fees, study abroad program fees and enrollment deposit.

Which universities are included in the Arizona Promise Program?

Arizona public university students can qualify for the Arizona Promise Program.  Some universities that currently participate in the Arizona Promise Program are:

Arizona State University campuses

  • Downtown Phoenix
  • Polytechnic
  • Lake Havasu
  • Mesa
  • Tempe

University of Arizona campuses

  • Tucson
  • Sierra Vista
  • Pima
  • Phoenix

Northern Arizona University campuses

  • Flagstaff
  • Yavapai
  • Show Low
  • Kingman
  • Yuma
  • Thatcher
  • Tucson
  • Signal Peak
  • Chandler-Gilbert
  • Estrella Mountain
  • Gateway
  • Glendale
  • Mesa
  • North Valley
  • Paradise Valley
  • Phoenix
  • Scottsdale
  • South Mountain

Please check with the university directly to ensure that each campus qualifies for the Arizona Promise Program.

Arizona Promise Program teacher and students


How do I qualify for the Arizona Promise Program?

To qualify for the Arizona Promise Program, a student must:

  • be a resident of Arizona
  • graduate with at least a 2.5 GPA from an Arizona high school
  • submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by April 1 of high school senior year
  • submit the renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid timely each ensuing year
  • qualify for maximum federal Pell Grant
  • be admitted to and enroll full-time at one of the three universities specified above
  • be a first-time student at one of the three universities specified above
  • be a degree-seeking student at one of the three universities specified above
  • enrolled directly in the fall semester immediately after high school graduation

(a gap in enrollment may be allowed for reasons like military service)

How do I apply for the Arizona Promise Program?

There is no separate form to apply for the Arizona Promise Program!

Once you’ve submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the university admission application, there’s no additional application to request Arizona Promise Program benefits!

If you are eligible for the program, you are automatically covered for in-state tuition and fees.  The universities participating in the Arizona Promise Program are awarding the funding to students who qualify in the spring of 2022.

Can I use the Arizona Promise Program for an entire four-year degree?

Yes!  The Arizona Promise Program is renewable for up to eight semesters.  You can earn your bachelor’s degree in that time!

Simply make sure that your Free Application for Federal Student Aid is submitted on time each year, keep your grades up to federal aid minimum, and continue to remain eligible for Pell Grant criteria.

Do I have to live in student housing at an Arizona university to receive help from the Arizona Promise Program?

No.  You can live off campus and still remain a recipient of Arizona Promise Program benefits.

Can I receive help from the Arizona Promise Program if I received a GED or was home-schooled?

No, the Arizona Promise Program currently only covers graduates from Arizona high schools.

Where do I find more information on the Arizona Promise Program?

More information about the Arizona Promise Program may be found online.

There is a form for questions, or your can contact the Arizona Board of Regents at 602-229-2500.

If you need help completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, we’ve provided a link to the form.

How can a four-year degree help me?

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 48% of all new jobs will require post-high school education.  Approximately 17% of Arizona high school freshmen are expected to have a four-year degree by 2029.  This means high demand and a greater need for qualified candidates.

Between the three Arizona public universities (Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona), they awarded nearly 34,000 bachelor degrees in 2020!  Statistics indicate that employees with bachelor degrees have increased earning power, averaging a $20,700 more in median salary than employees with high school diplomas.  This is a difference of 66 percent!

After 27 years in law enforcement and state Veterans Affairs agencies, I found myself working from home and looking for dollar-stretching resources. Government programs can be notoriously difficult to navigate and I'm happy to lend my experiences to make this easier for others!