Information For You!
If You're a Promise Student:
Bookmark this webpage and check back here for important information about
- Maintaining your eligiblity for the De Anza College Promise
- How to reach your counselors
- Special events for Promise students
- Current and past newsletters
- And more!
2024 Graduation Leis
Promise students are invited to stop by RSS 127 to enjoy refreshments and pick up their Promise graduation lei, anytime during these hours:
- Tuesday, June 4: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 5: 10 a.m.-noon and 12:30-3 p.m.
Maintain Your Eligibility!
We've made it simple to qualify for the De Anza College Promise. Now that you're here, there are a few things to remember if you want to remain eligible for all Promise benefits.
- You must remain enrolled in at least 12 units each quarter – fall, winter and spring – unless you have an accommodation approved by Disability Support Services. This requirement doesn't apply to summer session.
- You must submit a financial aid application (FAFSA or California Dream Act Application) for each year you are enrolled. So if you first enrolled in the 2019-2020 academic year, you will need to submit a new FAFSA or Dream Act application for 2020-2021.
And here are two more things to remember
- If your GPA falls below 2.0, you should meet with your counselor. You can make an appointment to see a Promise counselor in the Office of Outreach. (See below for information on how to do this.) Or if you prefer, you can also visit the general Counseling and Advising Center or check the Our Counselors webpage to find a counselor in your program or division.
- If you fall below 12 units in a quarter, you may be able to add another class to remain eligible. See your counselor or check the schedule of classes for a list of late-starting classes that you can still add – even after the second week of the quarter.
Meet the Promise Counselors
As a Promise student, you have a team of dedicated counselors to help guide you through your time at De Anza. Promise counselors can support you in
- Making sure your education plan is up-to-date, so you qualify for priority registration
- Mapping out your courses, so you can get your degree or transfer on schedule
- Getting you connected with all kinds of campus resources!
New students: We recommend that you complete orientation first, before you make an appointment with a counselor. The orientation will answer many of your initial questions about classes, registration, and related topics, and fulfill your requirement for priority registration.
To speak with a counselor, please use our online scheduling system to book an appointment during the next 14 days. If there are no times available, please check back tomorrow to see what times have been added.
Scroll down to read more about Ashley, Norma, Anna and Chai.
Ashley Flores
I was born and raised in the Bay Area and come from a Filipino background. After high
school, I attended two community colleges, College of Alameda and Laney College, and
transferred to University of San Francisco. Due to extreme financial barriers, my
access to education heavily declined, resulting in my dropping out of college. However,
reaching out to my community college counselor allowed me to turn my struggles into
motivation. I graduated from California State University, East Bay with a bachelor's
degree in Psychology and Saint Mary’s College of California with a master's degree
in Counseling. As a non-traditional student from a low-income family and the first
in my family to obtain a master’s degree, I know that any student is capable of obtaining
an education. My hope is to help students realize their potential and reach their
goals, just as my counselor helped me. I believe my time is well spent when shared
with loved ones, especially my dogs, eating delicious vegan food, and traveling around
the world.
Norma Guido Flores
I was born and raised in the Bay Area. My family immigrated to San Francisco from
Nicaragua and Peru as refugees to escape a civil war and extreme poverty. I am a first-generation,
low-income Latina college student. I began my educational journey at a community college,
Los Medanos College. I often questioned if college was right for me and struggled
with juggling work, family responsibilities and being a full time student. With the
support of a counselor who believed in me and helped me navigate higher education
I transferred to the University of California, Berkeley as a Psychology major. Upon
graduation, I realized that it was with the support, encouragement and guidance of
my community college counselor that I was able to achieve this goal. I decided to
further my education and got my master's degree in Counseling to do what I love: help
community college students believe in themselves to follow their goals and dreams.
Some of my hobbies include traveling, cooking, reading and spending time with loved
ones.
Anna Nguyen
I am an Oakland native, born and raised by Vietnamese immigrant refugee parents. I
attended the University of California, Davis after high school, but quickly realized
I did not have the proper tools and support to be a successful college student. I
left after my first quarter and enrolled in community college where I thrived and
eventually transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara and majored
in Sociology. I worked in the nonprofit world and taught English in South Korea before
receiving my master's degree in Counseling at San Francisco State University. As a
former community college student myself, I recognize how challenging it can be to
navigate higher education. I am passionate in supporting students during this transformative
time in reaching their educational goals and pursue their dreams. In my free time,
I enjoy spending time with family, friends and dogs, as well as being in nature and
engaging in activities that allow me to express myself, such as music+writing.
Chai Schweikert
I am a first-generation, Mien college graduate. My parents settled in California after
being displaced as refugees from their home countries of Laos and Thailand during
the Vietnam War. I was born in Oakland and raised in Richmond. After graduating from
Richmond High School, I attended the University of California, Berkeley where I earned
my bachelor's degree in Conservation and Resource Studies. I went on to earn a master's
degree in Counseling at San Francisco State University. I always knew that I wanted
to work closely with my community to create positive change. My experience navigating
higher education as a first-generation college student was far from straightforward
and I know that everyone's experiences are unique. My goal as a counselor is to ensure
that students are supported and confident in reaching their personal and educational
goals. Some of my hobbies include baking, traveling and keeping up with my passion
planner.