Common Questions

STEP is a summer transition program that is designed to help first-time college students transition into college by:

• Providing participants with a two-week Counseling 1, Introduction to College class
• Connecting students to resources that will prepare them for success
• Connecting students to each other so they can make long-lasting friends at Mt. SAC
• Exposing Students to Participate in insightful and supportive workshops
• Working with dedicated counselors to guide them every step of the way

To apply for STEP, follow the steps below

1. Submit a Summer 2023 Mt. SAC Application
2. Complete/Submit a STEP Interest Form
3. Apply for Financial Aid or the CA Dream Act (2022-2023 and 2023-2024)
4. Activate/claim your Portal Account
5. Complete the AQ and Online Orientation on the Student Success tab of the portal

Once you have completed all of the steps above, please check for your registration date/time through your Mt. SAC portal under “student self-service” option number 8 Registration Appointment/Hold. On the day of your appointment, you will be able to go onto your Mt. SAC portal and register for a Counseling 1 course.

Enroll in the Summer Counseling 1 course by completing the following steps:

1. Log into your portal at www.inside.mtsac.edu 
2. Click on the "Student" tab at the top of the page
3. Under the Student Self-Service box, click on #4. Register (Add or Drop) Classes
4. Select "Summer 2023" as the term and click the Submit button
5. Complete all the surveys, if you are prompted to do so
6. On the bottom of the "Add or Drop Classes" page, you should see "Add Classes Worksheet," "CRNs," and several text boxes below it. 
7. Enter the 5-digit CRN for one of your courses and click Submit Changes
8. The page will refresh, and you should see "Current Schedule" with "Status" below it
9. Under "Status," it should say "**Web Registered ** on (Today's Date)"

You can verify if you are enrolled in the Counseling 1 course. Follow the steps below

1. Go back to your portal under the "Student" tab
2. Under the Student Self-Service box, click on #11. Print Your Schedule/Receipt
3. Select "Summer 2023" and click Submit

Yes, we offer Counseling 1 online and in-person. You can also take the class in a hybrid form which means you will come to campus 2 days a week and will learn online the other 2 days for a total of 4 days a week. 

Some of the topics that will be covered in Counseling 1 include:

• Systems of Higher Education
• College Culture
• Explore Career and Majors
• Time Management
• Growth Mindset
• Educational Planning for Fall and Beyond
• Campus resources 
• Programs available on campus

Upon completion of the Counseling 1 class, your information will be automatically sent to Promise+Plus for verification. You will be contacted directly by Promise+Plus via your Mt. SAC email. For more information about Promise+Plus requirements and benefits, please visit their website at https://www.mtsac.edu/promise/ or contact them at (909) 274-5688

Asynchronous is any type of learning that you undertake on your own schedule and which does not require consisten real-time interactions with an instructor. Synchronous on the other hand typically requires you and your classmates to attend scheduled classes with your instructor. 

STEP is a summer transition program that is designed to help first-time college students transition into college by:

• Providing participants with a two-week Counseling 1, Introduction to College class
• Connecting students to resources that will prepare them for success
• Connecting students to each other so they can make long-lasting friends at Mt. SAC
• Exposing Students to Participate in insightful and supportive workshops
• Working with dedicated counselors to guide them every step of the way

Yes, you can be part of STEP even if you have already attended college. You can still take advantage of the wonderful benefits STEP offers such as: 

• Early Registration for (Fall, Winter, and Spring)
• Work with Caring and Supportive Counseling professors summer & beyond
• Access to Resources and Campus Connections
• Jump Start into College and Being Ready for Fall
• Gain Confidence and Awareness for College Success
• Become Part of the Mountie Family!

Upon completing the Counseling 1 class, you may be eligible for Promise+Plus benefits, however, Promise+Plus benefits are only available to first-time college students. If you have attended college, you may not qualify for those benefits. For more information about Promise+Plus requirements and benefits, please visit their website at https://www.mtsac.edu/promise/ or contact them at (909) 274-5688