SD Advance

Your transition to college is a series of manageable steps, and the SD Advance program is here to ensure you walk that path with confidence. We bridge the gap between the San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) and San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar Colleges.

Each certificate you earn and every credit you gain at SDCCE is a step closer to your career goals. By transitioning to a community college, you are simply reaching the next landing—building on your existing skills to reach higher levels of employment and personal achievement. Whether you want to earn an associate degree, transfer to a university, or sharpen your professional skills, you are already on your way.

You do not have to navigate this transition alone. Your San Diego Advance Counselor is your dedicated strategist, helping you turn your previous hard work into future college success.

How a San Diego Advance Counselor Can Support You?

Explore and Plan

• Explore your career goals
• Learn about certificates, associate degrees, and transfer pathways
• Compare San Diego City, Mesa, and Miramar College programs
• Identify your next steps and milestones
• Help you explore [CP1] [CP2] different college support programs (e.g., EOPS, Umoja, Puente, Basic Needs, Veterans Services, DSPS, Promise) 

Apply and Pay for College

• Step-by-step guidance about applying to college
• Navigate California residency, AB 540, SB 68, and tuition exemptions
• Assistance with understanding and applying to financial aid: FAFSA or CADAA
• Guidance on applying to San Diego Promise

 Transition to College

• Navigate Credit by Exam opportunities
• Preparing for meetings with college counselors
• Understanding educational planning and enrollment
• Connect with campus resources and support services

To make your transition to college as smooth as possible, we have organized the process into four primary actions. Completing these steps ensures you are ready to hit the ground running.

[  ] Apply to College: Submit your college application to City, Mesa, or Miramar.

[  ] Complete Financial Aid: Submit your FAFSA or CADAA. This is the requirement to unlocking grants and the San Diego Promise.

[  ] Apply to San Diego Promise: Submit your promise application by the deadline to qualify for free tuition.

[  ] Enroll in 12 units of Classes: Work with a counselor from the college you applied for (City, Mesa, or Miramar) to set up your educational plan and register for at least 12 units in your  sdccd student portal.

Important: Counseling processes may vary by college. Students should confirm the appropriate next step with their selected college before scheduling an appointment.

Student Tip: What is an Educational Plan? An educational plan is your personalized roadmap to graduation. Created with a college counselor, it lists the exact courses you need to reach your specific goal. Having this plan in place before you enroll ensures you don't waste time or money on unnecessary classes.

The San Diego Promise is a powerful resource for your success, covering up to two years of tuition and health fees. Beyond financial support, it provides students with academic guidance, peer support, and opportunities to become more connected to the college community. Students are encouraged to apply early because admission may depend on meeting program requirements, established deadlines, and available program capacity.

Participation in the San Diego Promise Program may include the following benefits:

• Up to two years of tuition and health fees covered
• Individualized academic counseling, guidance, and support to help you complete your educational goals
• Access to peer mentors
• Book grants for eligible students, depending on financial need
• Additional campus engagement opportunities

After applying, regularly check both your personal email and student email for messages from the San Diego Promise Program. These emails may include important updates, requests for additional information, incomplete requirements, and program deadlines. Once you are officially admitted to the San Diego Promise Program, you will receive information about attending a San Diego Promise orientation specific to your college campus.

Financial aid may also help eligible students pay for books, supplies, transportation, and other educational expenses. Complete the FAFSA or CADAA as early as possible, and continue monitoring your email, sdccd student portal , and Financial Aid To-Do List until all requested items have been submitted.

Pro Tips for FAFSA/CADAA Success

• Apply Early: Submit your application as soon as it becomes available. Some types of financial aid have limited funding or priority deadlines.
• Accuracy Matters: Make sure your name and Social Security number, if applicable, match your college records exactly to help prevent delays.
• Check out the School Code: Include the correct school code for City (001273), Mesa (001275), or Miramar College (014172).
• Check Your Email: Regularly review your personal and student email for messages from the Financial Aid Office.
• Monitor Your To-Do List: Log in to your sdccd student portal and review your Financial Aid To-Do List. Requests for signatures, forms, or documents may appear there. Your financial aid file may not be complete until all required items have been submitted and reviewed.

 

Your residency classification affects your tuition rate. After your college application is processed, review your personal email, student email, and your sdccd student portal for your classification and any required next steps. Students classified as California residents generally do not need to submit additional residency documentation unless requested by the college.

If you are classified as a nonresident and believe the classification is incorrect, you may request reclassification. You may need to provide documentation showing physical presence in California and intent to make California your home for at least one year and one day immediately before the semester begins.

AB 540/SB 68 Nonresident Tuition Exemption

Students classified as nonresidents may still qualify to pay tuition at the resident rate through the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption under AB 540/SB 68. Eligible attendance or coursework completed at California high schools, adult schools, or community colleges—including some SDCCE attendance or coursework—may count toward the exemption requirements.

AB 540/SB 68 does not change a student’s classification to a California resident. Eligible students remain classified as nonresidents but are exempt from paying additional nonresident tuition.

Immigration and Visa Status

Not all immigration or visa statuses are eligible to establish residency for tuition purposes, regardless of how long the student has lived in California. Because each student’s circumstances are different, students should seek individualized guidance from a San Diego Advance Counselor.

 

Credit By Exam is one of the most effective ways to reach your career goals faster. It allows you to earn college credit for the skills you’ve already mastered at SDCCE at no cost. By earning CBE credit, you can often skip introductory courses and move straight into advanced coursework at the colleges, saving you months of time and money.

Requirements for Eligibility

To earn college credit through CBE, you must:

• [ ] Have an active college application on file with the goal: "move from noncredit coursework to credit course work."
• [ ] Be enrolled in an SDCCE course with an active Credit By Exam agreement.
• [ ] Earn a Grade of "C" or higher in the SDCCE non-credit course.
• [ ] Earn a Grade of "B" or higher on the approved final assessment/exam.

Understanding Your Transcript Grade

The grade you earn on your final assessment is what appears on your college transcript.

• Example: If you earn an "A" in your SDCCE course but a "B" on the final assessment, your permanent college transcript will show a "B".[CP3] 

CBE opportunities are available in these high-demand fields:

• Business, Accounting and Entrepreneurship
• Healthcare
• Child Development
• Clothing and Textiles
• Digital Media & Programming
• Hospitality and Culinary Arts
• Information Technology
• Skilled and Technical Trades

Here is the CBE master list of SDCCE courses that count towards credit by exam.

Timeline for your transcripts to be available:

• Posting Time: Once you complete the requirements, it may take up to four weeks for the credit to appear on your college record. Plan accordingly if you need the credit to satisfy a prerequisite for the next semester!

If you have questions about this process or the status of your information, please email: [email protected].

You can reach out to a San Diego Advance Counselor for support!

 

The San Diego Community College District includes three colleges: San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College. Each college offers degree, certificate, transfer, and career education pathways, along with counseling and student support services.

Students should explore the colleges and consider factors such as available programs, campus location, class schedules, course formats, and support services. You may apply to the college that best aligns with your educational and career goals. Students admitted to City, Mesa, or Miramar may also enroll in classes offered at the other two colleges.

Questions to Consider When Exploring Your Options

• Which college offers the program or pathway connected to your goal?
• Which campus location and class schedule work best for you?
• Are the courses available in person, online, or in a hybrid format?
• Which student services and campus resources would support your success?

Pro Tip: Attend Transition to College (CE) Days or SD Advance workshops. These optional activities may include campus tours, presentations, application assistance, and opportunities to connect with college representatives. They can help you become familiar with the colleges and make an informed decision about your next step.

 

You do not have to complete the transition process alone. A San Diego Advance Counselor can help you explore college options, understand application and enrollment steps, learn about residency and financial aid, apply to San Diego Promise, and connect with college resources.

You may contact a San Diego Advance Counselor by:

• Scheduling an appointment
• Sending an email
• Calling
• Visiting during scheduled campus hours
• Attending an SD Advance workshop or Transition to College event

When contacting a counselor, include your full name, student ID number if available, the college you are considering, and a brief description of the assistance you need.

Not sure where to begin? Contact a San Diego Advance Counselor, and they can help you identify your next step.