The Cuesta Promise is a scholarship program for all San Luis Obispo County high school graduates — including those who are home-schooled or receive their GED — to attend Cuesta College fee-free for their first year (consecutive fall and spring semesters). The Promise Scholarship is available only to those who attend the fall semester immediately following their completion of high school. The only items not covered by this unique program are books and other items required by instructors. The Cuesta Promise — similar to the Ventura College Promise two hours down the Coast — is the result of a generous donation of more than $8 million to the Cuesta College Foundation from the Charles and Leeta Dovica Family Trust, who requested the funds be used for scholarships.

The first year of the program resulted in a fee-free first year for 646 students, saving each an average of $1,400.