About The Pittsburgh Promise
The CCAC Pittsburgh Promise Initiative and CCAC Extension Program provide a supportive learning environment where students make the most of their Pittsburgh Promise funding to achieve their goals. Pittsburgh Promise students are assigned to work with the Pittsburgh Promise Coach. CCAC Extension students are assigned to work with the CCAC Extension Coach. Coaches work with students to ensure their academic success and completion of their academic goals.
″If I can offer one piece of advice, and one piece only, it's that everyone loves an underdog story. What's yours going to be?″
CCAC Pittsburgh Promise Initiative
Pittsburgh Public School graduates who are newly enrolled at CCAC should visit The Pittsburgh Promise website, log in to their student portal, and identify CCAC as the college they will attend. The Pittsburgh Promise will notify CCAC that the student is eligible for Pittsburgh Promise funding.
New and current CCAC Pittsburgh Promise-eligible students must contact their CCAC Pittsburgh Promise Coach after registering every semester. Students must also complete their FAFSA application each year. Pittsburgh Promise funds are applied when an award letter is issued by the CCAC Financial Aid office.
Students must meet specific requirements to maintain their Pittsburgh Promise eligibility. Pittsburgh Promise students are evaluated every two semesters and must meet the following criteria:
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, and register for and complete 12 or more credits, each fall and spring term. Academic progress will be evaluated by the Pittsburgh Promise Coach at the end of each academic year.
Students who register for part-time enrollment—less than 12 credits—will not be funded by the Promise award unless granted a compassion appeal.
The Pittsburgh Promise award is a "last dollar" scholarship that pays toward tuition and books after all other grants and scholarships (Pell and Pennsylvania state grants and FSEOG, for example) have been deducted.
College expenses eligible for Promise scholarship funds are fees, tuition and required textbooks only.
For more information on the program and instructions to apply, visit pittsburghpromise.org
CCAC Extension Program
CCAC Extension Program students are offered a second chance to become a Pittsburgh Promise scholar. The CCAC Extension Program is located at the CCAC Allegheny Campus. Extension students are evaluated at the end of each semester and must earn at least nine credits and a 2.0 GPA each semester. Students become eligible for The Pittsburgh Promise after successfully completing two semesters in the CCAC Extension Program.
CCAC Pittsburgh Promise Extension Into Scholar Initiative
CCAC is excited to offer a new program to support Promise Extension students for fall 2022. The Pittsburgh Promise Extension into Scholar Initiative is an incentivized, RK Mellon grant-funded program that will provide a cohort system for Promise Extension students with academic support in and outside of the classroom, free tuition, books, a weekly stipend and additional emergency funds.
This is a limited capacity program expected to run through spring 2024. Students accepted into the program will be required to participate in a four-week bridge program this summer enrolled in a credited College Seminar course.
| Rewards & Benefits | Tuition | Books | Intensive Academic Support | Emergency Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extension into Scholar Initiative | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship | ♦ | ♦ | ||
| Pittsburgh Promise Extension | ♦ | ♦ |
How to Apply for Pittsburgh Promise Extension into Scholar Program
1. Fill Out the Application
Complete the FAFSA application by May 1st each new year. (Check status by calling the CCAC Financial Aid office at 412.237.CCAC)
2. Submit Applications
3. Log into Pittsburgh Promise Portal
5. Attend the Summer Bridge Program
Students who are accepted in to the CCAC Extension Program are required to attend a one-week Summer Bridge Program, which will take place in August 21, 2023.
Undocumented Student FAQs
No. Undocumented students are not eligible for federal student aid (Pell Grant). However, you can be eligible for state or college financial aid (Pittsburgh Promise award) and private scholarships.
Students can print out a PDF paper version of the FAFSA application, for example, and provide 000-00-0000 in the Social Security number field. The same process can be applied to a parental Social Security number field. Students must answer all other questions on the application as well.
"No. I am not a citizen or eligible noncitizen."
Mail it to the main Pittsburgh Promise office at:
1901 Centre Ave Ste 204
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contact Us
CCAC staff for Pittsburgh Promise scholars are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Allegheny Campus.