PROMISE PROGRAM

Students must meet the minimum 2.0 GPA required for high school graduation. 

Yes. Please see the list of eligible approved private schools.

Yes, eligible 2025 in-district homeschool graduates are eligible for the Promise Program.  

In-district 2025 homeschool students need to provide an IRSC Homeschool Affidavit Form + School District Letter acknowledging the establishment or termination of their home education program.

Yes. Any student that is a 2025 graduate from an in-district public or public charter high school or an eligible 2025 in-district homeschool graduate, regardless of incoming credit, can pledge to the IRSC Promise program.

G.E.D.® students are not yet eligible for the IRSC Promise program. We will continue to evaluate the program for next year to make expansion plans. 

We encourage G.E.D.® students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for IRSC Foundation Scholarships for assistance with funding.

As of July 1, 2025, DACA students are no longer eligible for the Promise Program. These students will be responsible for paying out-of-state tuition rates out of pocket, with no tuition waivers available.  

No. Only graduates of public and public charter high schools in Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, and St Lucie counties or eligible in-district homeschool graduates are eligible.   

We encourage Florida Virtual School graduates to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for IRSC Foundation Scholarships for assistance with funding. 

Qualifying for Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes is not a requirement for Promise.  However, Promise funding will only cover the in-state tuition rate and is only available to students who are U.S. Citizens or lawfully present in the U.S. Students must submit the Florida Residency Declaration Form (Form FRD-1), on or before July 14, 2025, to establish Florida residency.  Students who have a valid immigration status but cannot qualify for in-state residency may qualify for a HS Waiver that would waive the out-of-state portion of their tuition.  But it is also possible that students may have to cover the out-of-state portion of their tuition and fees themselves.  Contact Student Records for more information. 

For more information on residency, click here:  https://irsc.edu/admissions/procedure-for-florida-resident-for-tuition-purposes.html

As of July 1, 2025, undocumented students are no longer eligible for the Promise Program. These students will be responsible for paying out-of-state tuition rates out of pocket, with no tuition waivers available.

The Promise Program is only available to students who are U.S. Citizens or lawfully present in the U.S.  If you have questions about your immigration status, please contact Student Records at records@irsc.edu or join the Student Records QLess line. 

The IRSC Promise Program allows families with 529 plans, like Florida Prepaid, to stretch their investments even further. Those seeking to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree after completing an IRSC Associate Degree tuition-free can apply pre-paid balances toward that next educational milestone. Unused Florida Pre-Paid monies may also be returned to you; see www.myfloridaprepaid.com for details.  

Bright Futures Scholarships will be applied first and Promise will cover the remaining tuition balance. 

In this case, you would qualify for the Promise program to complete an A.S. Degree. 

Yes, any student who completes high school during the 2024-25 academic year is part of the 2025 graduating class and is eligible for the Promise.

No, the Promise is not based on need, however Promise students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. 

Promise will cover credits up to the completion of the Associate Degree. 

Yes, if you cover the cost of tuition for your summer classes you are eligible to participate in the Promise Program for the Fall term.  

Student-athletes receiving the Promise Program award are subject to additional grade point average (GPA) requirements per NJCAA and FCSAA rules and regulations. The eligibility to maintain the financial benefit of the Promise Program and continue to compete under NJCAA and FCSAA guidelines is contingent upon maintaining the standards outlined by these governing bodies. The IRSC Athletic Director will monitor the determination of eligibility at Indian River State College. Anyone with questions should contact the Athletic Department for more information.

• Promise students are encouraged to enroll full-time in the fall term (at least 12 credits), the spring term (at least 12 credits), and the summer term (at least 6 credits).
• Promise students must adhere to the Indian River State College Financial Aid Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), which will be reviewed and calculated at the end of each term.

Promise students must renew the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025–26 academic year.

The Promise Program is two-year in-state tuition paid program. The majority of the Associate Degree programs require 60 credits for completion.  Students attending full-time each semester (minimum 12 credits) , including summer (minimum 6 credits), will be on track to earning their associate degree in two years.

Some associate degree programs over 60 credits require an additional application for admission or must be started in a student’s first semester at IRSC. Students considering these programs should consult an advisor about requirements before Fall 2025.

• As long as students maintain the minimum cumulative GPA requirement and minimum completion rate requirement as outlined in the IRSC Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, students will remain eligible for Promise Funding. 
• Promise students whose cumulative GPA and/or cumulative completion rate fall below the standards of SAP will be placed on one term of warning for the following term.
• Promise students that do not meet both the required cumulative GPA and cumulative completion rate at the end of their “warning” term will no longer be eligible for Promise funding.

The Promise Program follows the minimum cumulative GPA requirement established by the IRSC Financial Aid Office, visit https://irsc.edu/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress.html

Incoming Promise students on SAP suspension from dual enrollment will get a one-term automatic warning to meet SAP standards. They should meet with a Financial Aid Team Member to review SAP requirements and plan their Fall credits for continued eligibility beyond Fall 2025.

• Complete the SLS1501 Orientation Course in the first semester.
• Meet with an academic advisor to develop an academic plan.
• Participate and complete the First-Year Experience Program.
• Maintain regular attendance in all classes.
• Transportation: Arrange reliable transportation to classes and campus facilities.
• Technology: Access to a laptop and internet is essential. IRSC libraries provide on-campus resources if needed.

The Promise Program starts the Fall semester after high school graduation and is available for two years as long as the student meets the Satisfactory Academic Progress and Renewal requirements.

Students who successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits during the fall and spring semesters and 6 credits during the summer semester are typically on track to complete their degree within two years. Those who require more than two years to complete their associate degree or plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree may continue applying for Federal Student Aid and scholarships.

The last dollar means the Promise will cover any tuition costs after financial aid and scholarships have been applied.

The Promise Program is not a grant or scholarship. It is a tuition-paid program sponsored by the IRSC Foundation and funded through generous donor philanthropy and unrestricted investment proceeds.

The Promise will cover any in-state tuition balance not covered by financial aid or scholarships.

Yes, the Promise Program will cover the cost of tuition for a student who doesn’t qualify for Financial Aid or Scholarships.

No, the Promise Program is last-dollar funding, meaning it will cover any tuition cost after financial aid and scholarships have been applied.

Financial aid students may be eligible for additional funds to cover education-related expenses; see the financial aid office for details. There is no cash value to the Promise Program.

All students are eligible to enroll on our Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan. This plan lets you pay your remaining fees through a monthly payment plan, making college more affordable. It is simple to enroll and can be done through this link: https://mycollegepaymentplan.com/irsc/

Students not eligible for the Promise Program should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for IRSC Foundation Scholarships for assistance with funding. 

Yes. The Promise program is two-year program, and each year the student must complete the FAFSA and meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement established by the IRSC Financial Aid Office, visit https://irsc.edu/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress.html.