Pinal Promise

The Pinal Promise (formerly known as Promise for the Future) educational initiative was launched in 2001 by a caring community that believed that college should be a reality for every Pinal County student. This program was developed to encourage young people to stay in high school, graduate, and pursue their college education through Central Arizona College.

All students who reside in Pinal County and graduate from a Pinal County high school are eligible for the Pinal Promise Program and will receive two academic years of tuition (fall/spring, fall/spring) covered by CAC and the CAC Foundation. There are no high school GPA eligibility required to apply. This is a last-dollar scholarship and students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year.

Stipulations:

  • Students must reside and graduate high school in Pinal County. (both are required)
  • An online high school must have a physical presence in Pinal County for graduate students to be eligible.
  • Students who are home-schooled are not eligible.

The Pinal Promise

The  Pinal Promise Educational Initiative provides funding for any tuition need that has not been met. Pinal Promise tuition funds will be applied after all other financial aid has been applied to the individual student account (excluding student loans)

The Guidelines for May 2024 High School Graduates Only. 

To be eligible for the Pinal Promise scholarship tuition program, the student must:  (links are highlighted in red)

  • Begin the fall semester after high school graduation – Fall 2024
  • Have completed 20 hours of community service (Community Service Form (PDF)).  Students who have not completed their community hours, may do so during their first year at CAC. However, we strongly encourage students to complete their hours prior to high school graduation.
  • Complete the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online.
  • Upon high school graduation complete and submit the online CAC Scholarship Application
  • Submit a copy of high school diploma OR an unofficial high school transcript with date of graduation.(upload through CAC scholarship application or through student portal)
  •  Enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours but no more than 20 credit hours per semester (unless approved by Registrar)
  •  Pursue a CAC degree or certificate program

The financial aid office will review eligibility and acceptance of the Pinal Promise program when all  the guidelines above are met.  Students will be contacted via CAC student email.

This funding is for four (4) consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Fall/Spring) providing you maintain the renewal eligibility requirements listed below. You need only apply once.

Important Note: Before awarding Promise funds, your CAC financial aid file (FAFSA) must be  completed.  Once our financial aid office receives your FAFSA application, you will be notified via CAC student email. Follow the email instructions to determine if you would owe any documentation to complete your financial aid file.

To renew eligibility for Pinal Promise funds each semester, the student must:

  •  Maintain a  2.0 cumulative GPA or above
  • Enroll in a minimum of 12 or more credit hours per semester
  • Successfully complete a minimum of 9 credits each semester
  • Maintain continuous enrollment each semester Fall/Spring, Fall/Spring (does not include summer semesters)
  •  Allow the Financial Aid office to verify and ensure student meets eligibility requirements at the end of each semester.  If the student is unable to meet the requirements he/she will permanently  lose the tuition fund

Additional scholarship funds for Pinal Promise students:

If you meet the criteria to any of these scholarships add the name of scholarship to your CAC scholarship application.

Chief Scott R. Miller Fire Science Scholarship

  •  Recipient must be enrolled in a program of study in fire science
  •  Recipient must be a graduate of a Pinal County high school
  • Applicants who are Promise students will receive preference
  •  Pinal County residents will receive preference.
  • To be used for expenses and fees not related to tuition costs

Bob England Rodeo Scholarship and Endowment Scholarship

  • Must be a member of the Rodeo program
  • Preference to Promise students

Pinal County University Foundation Scholarship

  • Awards given to first year and second year Promise students

The Sergeant Tate Lynch Promise Scholarship Endowment

  • Must be an eligible Promise student
  • Must be pursuing a degree or certificate in public safety, emergency services or criminal justice

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What if I have recently relocated to Pinal County as a senior. Will I still be eligible for Pinal Promise?

    Yes, as long as you reside and graduate from a Pinal County high school, you are eligible for Pinal Promise.

  • When will I see the funds for Pinal Promise on my account?

    Pinal Promise funding occurs about a week after school starts for funding accuracy, but students are notified as soon as Financial Aid determines if they are eligible.

  • Are home school students eligible?

    Home school students are not eligible for Pinal Promise.

  • I remember signing something in 8th grade, is that still required?

    The 8th grade signing requirement has been eliminated (previous requirement under Promise for the Future).

  • Is there any high school GPA requirement?

    No, there is no high school GPA requirement to be eligible to apply for Pinal Promise funds.

Eligible Pinal County High Schools

• A+ Charter Schools
• American Leadership Academy (Ironwood)
• Apache Trail High School
• Apache Junction High School
• ASU Preparatory Academy (Casa Grande)
• Casa Grande Union High School
• Casa Grande Union High School Online
• Casa Verde High School (Casa Grande Union High School District)
• Combs High School
• Combs online School
• Coolidge Alternative Program
• Coolidge High School
• Coolidge Virtual Academy

• Desert Sunrise High School
• Florence High School
• Florence Virtual Academy
• Heritage Academy, Maricopa
• Imagine Prep (Coolidge)
• Imagine Prep Superstition (Apache Junction)

• Leading Edge Academy (Maricopa)

• Maricopa High School
• Maricopa Virtual Academy
• Mission Heights Preparatory High School (Casa Grande)
• Mountain Vista Academy (Florence)
• Pinnacle High School (Casa Grande)
• Poston Butte High School
• PPEP Tech (Casa Grande)
• Ray High School
• Ridgeview College Prep High School
• San Manuel High School
• Santa Cruz Valley Union High School
• Santa Cruz Center for Success (Eloy)
• San Tan Foothills High School
• Sequoia Pathway Academy (Maricopa)

• Student Choice High School (Maricopa)

• Summit School (Florence)
• Superior High School
• Villa Oasis Interscholastic Center for Education (Toltec)
• Vista Grande High School

• Superior High School

Pinal Promise Contact Information

Phone: 520.494.5111
E-Mail: promise@centralaz.edu
Address: Central Arizona College
8470 N. Overfield Road
Coolidge, AZ 85128