VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: To preserve the health and safety of all students, employees, and the public, everyone on campus must wear a mask and show proof of COVID 19 Vaccination as of 11/01/2021.
COVID-19 Information »

Bakersfield College

You are here

Home Student Services Transfer Pathways Kern Promise
Two students study in front of indoor Theater.

Kern Promise: Finish-In-4 and Transfer-in-2

Bakersfield College Kern Promise

The Kern Transfer Promise is a commitment to help students complete their Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) within two instructional years through structured support and priority access to courses. Upon successful completion of The Kern Promise and an Associate Degree for Transfer, students are guaranteed admission into the CSU system in a similar major but not necessarily to a particular campus; at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), fully online and out-of-state universities and the participating independent, non-profit universities in California (AICCU), students are guaranteed admission into the exact campus they apply to and to the major they want to pursue.*

To learn more about each of these partner institutions and participating universities, visit the List of Colleges page.

The Kern Promise focuses on a shared responsibility model where the student works with a Completion Coaching Team to chart and follow the path to success. As part of the Promise, each student will receive guaranteed priority registration for a full-time schedule and specialized academic and advising support for the next two years. In turn, each Promise student is required to maintain good academic standing and commit to program requirements.

There are two programs under the Bakersfield College Kern Promise, Finish-In-4 and Transfer-In-2. Each program is unique in its requirements.

FINISH-IN-4

The Finish-In-4 efforts aim to guarantee students complete their transfer degree in 2 years at Bakersfield College and a baccalaureate degree in the following 2 years at CSUB. The Kern Promise's Finish-In-4 program supports the increase in student completion with an Associate Degree for Transfer in 60 semester units at BC. Students are then guaranteed admission to CSUB, with a similar major, and will complete an additional 60 semester units to earn a bachelor’s degree! Together, the goal is to move students through to the next stage of their educational and career goals in a more efficient and impactful way.

Once students are part of Bakersfield College Kern Promise, there are program requirements they must meet and complete. Failure to maintain or complete any of our requirements will result in removal from the program. We always encourage students to reach out to us with any questions they may have.

YEAR 1 Requirements

  • Attend Bridge to BC: First-Year Student Success Course ACDV B55
  • Be a first-time college student attending BC
  • Enroll in 12 degree-applicable units minimum per semester or 30 per academic year (Does NOT include courses taken in prior summer term.)
  • Complete transfer-level Math and English within first year of enrollment (Fall, Spring, Summer)
  • Maintain cumulative Bakersfield College BC GPA of a 2.0 or higher
  • Complete in person or online welcome orientation
  • Have an approved STARFISH CSEP (Comprehensive Student Education Plan) on file by October 31
  • Declare an approved ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer) from the list below:
    • Administration of Justice AA-T
    • Anthropology AA-T
    • Biology AS-T
    • Business Administration AS-T
    • Chemistry AS-T
    • Early Childhood Education AS-T
    • Elementary Teacher Education AA-T
    • English AA-T
    • Geology AS-T
    • History AA-T
    • Journalism AA-T
    • Kinesiology AA-T
    • Mathematics AS-T
    • Philosophy AA-T
    • Political Science AA-T
    • Psychology AA-T
    • Sociology AA-T
    • Spanish AA-T
    • Studio Arts AA-T
    • Theater Arts AA-T

YEAR 2 Eligibility

To move on with Bakersfield College Kern Promise from year 1 to year 2, students must have finished year 1 requirements and met all the following requirements to remain eligible for year 2.

  • Students must complete their first academic year (ending spring) as part of Bakersfield College Kern Promise (must be part of Year 1 Bakersfield College Kern Promise).
  • Earn a 2.0 GPA by the end of their first academic year.
  • Must have successfully completed 30 units by the end of their first academic year (includes summer before your second year) year
  • Enroll in at least 12 degree-applicable units minimum per semester or 30 units per academic year (Does NOT include courses taken in prior summer term.)
  • Must have completed transfer level Math and English.
  • Successfully complete 30 units by the end of their first academic year.
  • Remain in good standing with the college.

Finish-In-4 Benefits

  • Day 2 Priority Registration for each semester at Bakersfield College at BC
  • Access to a designated pathway counselor and academic advisor
  • Associates degree completion in the span of 60 units
  • Guaranteed admission to CSUB, upon meeting all required courses and meeting admission requirements
  • $250 book scholarship per semester
  • Paid tuition for 12+ units enrollment per semester
  • May be eligible for additional funding, based on need

 

Common Questions

Yes, these are two separate programs. The California College Promise has replaced the Board of Governor's fee waiver (the BOG) and remains an entirely separate, state-level initiative – it has nothing to do with the Bakersfield College Kern Promise.

No, students do not need to reapply once they are in the program. College staff will be monitoring these students to ensure they maintain eligibility from semester to semester.

Yes. The Promise is designed to help students achieve their educational goals regardless of financial status. Even if a student is ineligible for need-based Federal and State financial aid, they can receive the Promise scholarship provided the eligibility requirements are met.

Applications are accepted April 1st- September 30th. Kern Promise does not admit any new students’ mid-year or in the middle of their educational journey. Students must be part of Bakersfield College Kern Promise at the beginning of their first year at Bakersfield College.

Students in the final term of their program may receive tuition benefits if they are enrolled in 12 units or more.

Unfortunately, we cannot award financial benefits to any students below 12 units, even if it is their final semester.

Unfortunately, our program does not cover tuition assistance during the summer; Tuition assistance is only covered during the fall and spring semester.

Only units added before the census date (including late start courses) will be counted toward your total enrollment of the required 15 units necessary to receive tuition funding. Units added after the census date will not be included.

Students below 15 units at the time of census will be ineligible to receive tuition funding.

Kern Promise Interest Form

TRANSFER-IN-2

Kern Promise: Transfer-In-2 is a new program that supports the increase in student completion of an Associate Degree in 60 semester units at BC followed by transfer to a 4-year institution into a similar major within 2 years. The goal is to move students through to the next stage of their educational and career goals in a more efficient and impactful way.

YEAR 1 Requirements

  • Attend Bridge to BC: First-Year Student Success Course ACDV B55
  • Be a first-time college student attending BC
  • California Resident/AB540 eligible
  • Enroll in 12 degree-applicable units minimum per semester or 30 per academic year (Does NOT include courses taken in prior summer term.)
  • Complete transfer-level Math and English within first year of enrollment (Fall, Spring, Summer)
  • Maintain cumulative Bakersfield College BC GPA of a 2.0 or higher
  • Complete in person or online welcome orientation.
  • Have an approved STARFISH CSEP (Comprehensive Student Education Plan) on file by October 31.

YEAR 2 Eligibility

To move on with Bakersfield College Kern Promise from year 1 to year 2, students must have finished year 1 requirements and met all the following requirements to remain eligible for year 2.

  • Students must complete their first academic year (ending spring) as part of Bakersfield College Kern Promise (must be part of Year 1 Bakersfield College Kern Promise).
  • Earn a 2.0 GPA by the end of their first academic year.
  • Completed math and English.
  • Successfully complete 30 units by the end of their first academic year.
  • Remain in good standing with the college.
  • Submit FAFSA or CA Dream Act for every academic year
  • Enroll in 15 degree-applicable units minimum per semester or 30 per year. (Does not include courses taken in prior summer term)

Transfer in 2 Benefits

  • Day 2 Priority Registration for each semester at Bakersfield College
  • Access to designated a pathway counselor and academic advisor Associates degree completion in the span of 60 units
  • Guaranteed admission in a similar major in schools across: California State Universities (CSU), University of California (UC), Historically Black College and Universities (HBSU) and Association of Independent California College and Universities, upon meeting all required courses and meeting admission requirements
  • $250 book scholarship per semester
  • Paid tuition for 12+ units enrollment per semester
  • May be eligible for additional funding, based on need
Kern Promise Interest Form

Transfer Promise SUCCESS Study

Bakersfield College has been chosen to participate in MDRC’s Scaling UP Community College Efforts for Student Success (SUCCESS). Through this program the focus is to improve graduation rates for traditionally underserved students at BC by aligning our existing resources with evidence-driven practices by providing proactive advising, financial incentives, and strategies focused on increasing student success. Visit the SUCCESS Website to learn more.

Who qualifies? Kern Promise participants.

Benefits: Monthly Financial incentives.