Last-dollar scholarship
The scholarship covers eligible tuition not otherwise covered by federal, state, Yavapai College, or other third-party grants, discounts, or scholarships.
YC Promise Financial Aid Program
The YC Promise is a financial aid program offering Yavapai County residents an opportunity to earn a tuition-free degree at Yavapai College.
Yavapai County high school seniors
YC Promise
The YC Promise is a financial aid program offering eligible Yavapai County residents an opportunity to earn a tuition-free degree at Yavapai College.
Apply and opt in by August 1st
Students must officially apply and opt in through the myYC Experience portal. This is also where students can update contact information to ensure they receive program updates.
Start here
How the YC Promise works
YC Promise is a last-dollar scholarship program. Eligible students pay their costs up front, complete the program requirements, and receive eligible tuition reimbursement after completing their associate degree.
Tuition only
YC Promise does not reimburse books, course fees, program fees, transportation, food, housing, or other cost-of-living expenses.
After degree completion
Reimbursements are reviewed and processed after degrees are officially conferred and final grades are posted.
Students are responsible for paying all expenses up front. This includes tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Payment plan options are available at yc.edu/bills.
Deadline: August 1st
Apply to the YC Promise
Students must officially apply and opt in to the YC Promise program through the myYC Experience portal.
- Log into myYC Experience Access your myYC Experience account.
- Find the Promise Notice Select the Promise Notice at the top of your portal.
- Look for the eligibility message Find the notice that reads, “You may be eligible for the YC Promise Program!”
- Click Resolve The Resolve button opens the opt-in response window.
- Review and select Yes Review the information in the new window and select Yes to officially opt in to the program.
Need help?
Do not see the opt-in option?
If the Promise notice is missing from your portal, it usually means a requirement is missing from your student profile. Check these common items.
Eligible degree program
Only specific programs qualify for YC Promise. Meet with an academic advisor to review or update your degree pathway.
Residency status
The program requires in-state residency and Yavapai County residency. Make sure your address and residency status are updated with the college.
High school information
Confirm that your high school name and high school graduation date are correct in your student record.
Previous response
Once a student opts in or out of YC Promise, the option is removed from the portal. Contact your advisor to verify your status.
The program requires students to be graduating seniors from a Yavapai County high school, home school program, or online high school. If you are unsure whether your information is correct, check with your academic advisor or contact the Promise Team at promise@yc.edu.
Students and degrees
Eligible Promise students and degrees
Students who meet the following criteria may be eligible for the YC Promise.
Eligible Promise students
Any high school senior graduating from a Yavapai County high school, home school program, or online high school may be eligible if the student’s primary residence is within Yavapai County and the student will receive a high school diploma or GED®.
- Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status
- Be eligible for in-state status for tuition purposes as defined by Arizona law and Yavapai College
- Opt in to the YC Promise through the myYC Experience portal by August 1st
Eligible Promise degrees
Associate degrees through Yavapai College are eligible except for Aerospace Science majors and courses, including Fixed Wing, Rotor, Unmanned, and Air Traffic.
Students accepted into the Nursing or Radiologic Technology program must complete their degree within 11 semesters.
Stay eligible
Program requirements
Each phase of the YC Promise requires students to complete program requirements. Failure to do so may result in loss of the scholarship.
Student responsibilities
The primary responsibility to meet requirements falls with the student. Once in the program, students must do the following to retain their scholarship:
- Complete the FAFSA annually
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0
- Maintain financial aid eligibility
- Attend an Orientation prior to the start of the first fall semester
- Meet with an Academic Advisor each year to review academic plan and progress
- Complete the degree within seven semesters, including summer semesters
- Pay all monies owed to YC, with no outstanding balances by the end of each term
Important reminder
The YC Promise is not automatic after the initial opt-in. Students must continue meeting program, academic, financial aid, and payment requirements throughout their time in the program.
Students who need help confirming their status should contact their advisor or email promise@yc.edu.
- Comply with United States Selective Service System requirements for registration if such requirements are applicable to the student.
- Comply with federal drug-free rules and laws for receiving financial assistance and not be incarcerated.
- Not be in default on a federal Title IV or Arizona educational loan and not owe a refund on a federal Title IV or an Arizona student financial aid program.
- If a student requires an accommodation for disability-related reasons that limits the number of credits they can take in each semester, they should work with the Yavapai College Department of Disability Resources to see if the degree completion deadline can be extended.
- YC Promise will only reimburse one degree program.
Students must meet the following criteria to be granted a personal or medical leave of absence from the scholarship program.
Allowable medical or personal reasons may include serious illness of the student; serious illness or death of an immediate family member; extreme financial hardship of the student or student’s immediate family as defined in the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA); fulfillment of a religious commitment encouraged of members of that faith; fulfillment of required military service; or other extraordinary circumstances beyond the student’s control where attendance by the student creates a substantial hardship.
In the event an institution denies a student’s request for a medical or personal leave of absence, the student may appeal the decision in accordance with these rules.
Tuition reimbursement
How reimbursement works
YC Promise reimburses eligible students for qualifying tuition paid to Yavapai College after all other gift aid has been credited toward tuition.
What YC Promise may reimburse
- Eligible tuition paid to Yavapai College
- Tuition remaining after federal, state, YC, and third-party grants, discounts, or scholarships are applied
- Up to 61 credits of tuition paid by the student when the student completes an associate degree
- Credits reimbursed at the rate paid, not the current rate
What YC Promise does not reimburse
- Books, course fees, program fees, or other related expenses
- Transportation, food, housing, or other cost-of-living expenses
- Transfer credits or credits taken at YC prior to starting the YC Promise program
- Repeated or non-passing coursework
- Developmental Education credits
Processing timeline: YC Promise reimbursements are reviewed and processed only after degrees are officially conferred. Because degree conferral occurs after the end of the semester once all final grades are posted, the review and distribution process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from the end of the term. This timeline does not include days when campus offices are closed for winter break.
Important notes
Tax, IRS, and reimbursement information
Participating in the YC Promise program may affect personal tax reporting. Yavapai College is required to report this financial activity to the IRS each calendar year.
Tax & IRS information regarding YC Promise
- While enrolled in the program: Yavapai College reports all qualified tuition payments made by you, or on your behalf, in Box 1 of your annual 1098-T Tuition Statement. Depending on these amounts, you may be eligible for certain education tax credits.
- Upon program completion and reimbursement: Once you graduate and meet all YC Promise criteria, your tuition reimbursement will be reported in Box 4 of your 1098-T during the calendar year it is processed.
- Important tax impact: Because Box 4 reports refunds for tuition paid in prior years, receiving this reimbursement may require you to amend your past tax returns if you previously claimed education tax credits. Amending a return can sometimes create a tax liability, money owed to the IRS, along with potential fines or penalties. Yavapai College is not responsible for and will not reimburse any fees, fines, or penalties associated with filing amended returns.
Please consult a tax professional
Yavapai College does not provide tax advice. Because every student’s financial situation is unique, students are strongly encouraged to consult a professional tax advisor at the start of the program to understand how YC Promise may affect their taxes.
Contact
Promise Team
Contact the Promise Team for questions about eligibility, opt-in status, requirements, or program next steps.
Meghan Paquette
Director of Early College & Strategic Enrollment Programs
Tanner Campbell
Manager of Early College & Promise Programs
YC Promise contact email
Apply and opt in by August 1st
Log into myYC Experience, find the YC Promise notice, click Resolve, and select Yes to officially opt in. For help, contact promise@yc.edu.