Two Years Free

Who is initially eligible for Two Years Free?
First-time college students who are California residents and who complete a Financial Aid application. Second year eligibility is reviewed for all students who received their first year free under this program.

What does it mean to be a California resident?
Please check out our Residency Requirements to see if you would be considered a California resident.

Who is considered a “first-time” student?

1. Students coming directly from high school, or
2. Students who attended adult school to complete their high school graduation requirements, or
3. Students who have never attempted college units

Am I still a first-time student if I earned college credit while in high school or while attending adult school to complete my high school education?
Yes! College credit earned while in high school or adult school does not affect your eligibility for Two Years Free as long as you haven’t yet earned a degree or certificate. However, students who earn a college certificate or degree while in high school would not be eligible for this tuition waiver.

What steps do I need to complete to get awarded Year 1 of Two Years Free?

1. Submit the 2023-2024* FAFSA or 2023-2024 California Dream Act application (CADA) with the Sierra College school code: 001290.
2. Submit a “First-time college student” admissions application for 2023-24. Prior Academic Enrichment or Dual Enrollment applications do not count. Be sure to re-apply as a first-time college student.
3. Enroll in 12 or more units by the add/drop date found on the academic calendar.

If you are a homeschool student please provide:

1. A copy of your graduation certificate,
2. An affidavit certified by the California Department of Education and
3. A utility bill for the same month you graduated. Documents can be emailed to financialaidquestion@sierracollege.edu

If you are a transfer student and graduated from one of our in-district* high schools who received their first year free, we need official transcripts from all previous colleges attended.

Those can be sent two ways:

• Emailed directly from a College Administrator’s school email account to transcripts@sierracollege.edu
• Sealed, physical copies can be mailed or delivered in person to a Sierra College Admissions Office

* The Sierra district includes all of Placer and Nevada Counties. Sacramento County schools include Antelope High School and Center High School. El Dorado County schools include Divide Continuation High School and Golden Sierra High School.

What is the awarding process for Year 2 of Two Years Free for 2023-2024?
Second year is reviewed for all student who received Year 1 under this program. Second year students will automatically be awarded if they:

• Submit the FAFSA/CADA by March 2, 2023, and
• Maintain full-time enrollment (12 units required, 15 recommended)

Tier 1: In-district* students who:

• Submit both the FAFSA/CADA* and a “First-time college student” admissions application by March 2

Tier 2: In-district* students who:

• Submit both or remaining requirements of the FAFSA/CADA* and the “First-time college student” admissions application between March 2 – June 1, and

Tier 3: In-district** students who:

• Submit both or remaining requirements of the FAFSA/CADA* and the “First-time college student” admissions application between June 2 – August 1

Tier 4: Out of district students who:

• Submit both the FAFSA/CADA* and a “First-time college student” admissions application by March 2

Tier 5: Out of district students who:

• Submit both or remaining requirements of the FAFSA/CADA* and the “First-time college student” admissions application between March 2–June 1

Tier 6: Out of district students who:

• Submit both or remaining requirements of the FAFSA/CADA* and the “First-time college student” admissions application between June 2 – August 1

*High school Juniors (2022/23) who are planning to graduate in Dec. 2023 and starting Sierra College classes in Spring 2024 should complete the 2023-24 FAFSA or CADA by Mar. 2, 2023 for Tier 1 priority funding or by Dec. 30, 2023 for Tier 2 priority funding.

**The Sierra College district includes all of Placer and Nevada Counties. Sacramento County schools include Antelope High School and Center High School. El Dorado County schools include Divide Continuation High School and Golden Sierra High School.

Why are 15 units recommended if the full-time requirement is 12 units?

• Proven greater success rate
• Faster time to your end goal
• Hit the job market sooner
• More opportunities for financial support (specific programs and scholarships)
• Fewer student loans
• Best of all, you’re maximizing the number of units you get free!

What happens if I am allowed to enroll in more than the allowed 18 units per semester?
If you meet all other eligibility requirements, your tuition will be covered.

What if I don’t qualify for FAFSA or the CA Dream Act?
That’s ok! There is no income requirement or restrictions for Two Years Free. We simply need you to complete these applications so we can verify eligibility for any other financial aid first.

What if I don’t want to do the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application?
You would not qualify to get Two Years Free.

How long can I receive Two Years Free?
Two Years Free is specific to fall and spring for up to two consecutive years.

• Within this time frame, you can receive the tuition waiver for any term that you are in 12+ units.
• You must receive this tuition waiver for at least one term (fall or spring) in your first year and complete your first year in good standing in order to get your second year of tuition waived.

Can I receive this waiver for summer classes?
No, Sierra does not award this waiver for summer terms.

What if I am eligible for Two Years Free, but take less than 12 units in the fall? Am I still eligible for spring?
Yes. You would need to pay for fall units yourself. If you are in 12+ units in spring, you will receive this tuition waiver. If this is your first year, you must enroll in 12+ units in at least one term in order to be eligible for the second year free.

What if I don’t start classes until the spring? 
Your spring term would count as your first full year.

If I take a semester off or enroll in less than 12 units, can that extend my two years to a future term?  
No. Your Two Years Free time clock starts as soon as you enroll in college units and you have up to two years to receive this tuition waiver.

• Your tuition will be waived for any term that you are in 12+ units
• You would pay for any term that you are in less than 12 units
• You must enroll in 12+ units in fall or spring of your first year and complete in good standing in order to be eligible for your second year

What if I received the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) my first year but I am not eligible for it my second year?
You will get a tuition waiver under Two Years Free for your second year if you are enrolled in 12+ units.

If I go to a Sierra Promise partner high school, do I have to sign up as a Sierra Promise Scholar to get my Two Years Free? 
No, but we recommend it. Being a Sierra Promise Scholar gives you priority registration for your first term and gives you access to additional support and resources. Learn more about Sierra Promise.

If I opt-in to become a Sierra Promise Scholar, do I automatically get opted into Two Years Free?
No. These are two separate opt-in choices. Opt-in to Two Years Free by June 1 for the upcoming year.

Where can I see if I have completed all the steps to get Two Years Free?
Log in to mySierra. Your status is displayed under “Steps to Getting My Tuition Paid For”.

When can I opt in for fall 2022/spring 2023? 
The opt in option will be available in your mySierra account starting April 1.

I have completed all of the required steps. Why do I still see fees in mySierra account?
Due to the reduction in state budget, not all students who complete the steps will be awarded Two Years Free.

• Please consider setting up a payment plan or paying your tuition in full to avoid registration holds for future terms.
• Two Years Free award notifications will occur between June and September. If awarded, you will continue to see a balance in your mySierra account until the third week of school (after census, also known as add/drop period). If you are still eligible at census, your tuition will be waived and if you already paid, you will receive a refund.
• A remaining balance may represent the Student Center and Health Center fees.

If I already paid, and I have completed all of the required steps, when will I get a refund?
As long as you remain eligible, refunds will begin two weeks after the add/drop deadline listed on our academic calendar.

What happens if I am issued a refund but fail to cash my check?
The check will be voided. Before a new refund is issued the Financial Aid Office must check to ensure you are still eligible and have not withdrawn from courses.

Is there a final deadline to become eligible?

• On June 1, 2022, we will begin awarding students according to our tier priority structure and continue awarding until funds run out.
• Units have to be completed within each term

Do I have to complete 30 units in my first year? 
No. But we do recommend taking as many units as you can complete successfully to maximize your free tuition opportunity.

What if I drop below 12 units before the add/drop deadline (census)?
You would not be eligible for Two Years Free and will be held responsible to pay for all tuition and fees on your own.

If I withdraw from units after the add/drop deadline (census), do I have to make up those units to stay eligible?
Maybe. You need to maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to stay eligible and unit completion may affect that. We recommend speaking with the financial aid office and/or your academic counselor before withdrawing from classes. Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

If my tuition has already been paid by Two Years Free and I now need to withdraw from a class, will I owe anything back? Will it affect my eligibility for the following term?
No, you will not owe anything back.

If you fail or withdraw from ALL fall classes, you might not meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress, which could affect your eligibility for future terms. You still need to be in 12+ units (at census) for each fall and spring term to meet the unit requirement.

Also, we recommend speaking to a counselor before withdrawing from any classes.

If my Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is in “Warning Status” after semester grades post, am I still eligible for Two Years Free the following term?
Yes, as long as you are still within your Two Years Free window of time and enrolled in 12+ units each term (at census).

If my Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is in Termination Status after grades post, am I still eligible for Two Years Free the following term?
Perhaps. You would need to appeal to receive a second year free under Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress appeal process.  Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

I am a member of the armed forces. What happens if I get called to duty?
Under AB 3137, students who are obliged to withdraw because of active duty shall not count toward the limit of the period of that student’s eligibility for participation in the Two Years Free program. Students will need to provide a copy of their orders calling them up during the time they had to withdraw.