How to get started in the Adult Education Special Admit Program!

Required Steps:

This checklist is only for students who have already completed the AESA application and met with an AESA counselor. If you haven't done that yet, please go back to the general information page.

  • Apply to Mt. SAC

    CCCApply is a requirement for all Mt. SAC credit students and it will allow us to mark you as an AESA student in the system.

    You will need to apply to CCCApply twice as an AESA student. Once when you begin the program and again when you are exiting the program. 

    Before you apply

    It's a good idea to gather the following materials before you begin the application process:

    • Your social security number, if you have one.
    • Names and dates (month and year) of all high schools and colleges attended.
    • A valid email address that you check frequently. This is where we'll send follow-up information about your application. If you do not have one, we recommend that you create an email account prior to applying.
    • Your permanent resident card (if applicable).

    • Here is a video that can help you with the application.

    After you apply

    Remember you need to complete the enrollment process before you can take classes: 

    • Check your email regularly for an e-mail confirmation containing very important Mt. SAC enrollment information. This message will be sent to the email address you provided in your application.
    • Please forward the CCCApply confirmation email to your AESA counselor so they know you have completed this step.
    • You will need to ensure that you have been coded as an AESA student before registering for courses so you don't accidentally get billed for them!
  • Access the Mt. SAC Portal

    After you are accepted to Mt. SAC, you will need to "claim" your Mt. SAC Portal (www.mtsac.edu/portal).

    You can skip this if you already know how to access the Portal.

    Follow these steps to claim your Portal account:

    • Go to the Mt. SAC Portal
    • Click on “Forgot Password”
    • Enter your user name
    • Click on “Recover with Mail”

    A password reset email will be sent to your personal email on file.

    If you don't know your username, please contact your AESA counselor.

  • Complete Mt. SAC Orientation

    Online orientation is required by all new students to Mt SAC.  To access the online orientation, go to your Mt. SAC Portal and click the "Student Success" tab. 

  • Complete the Mt. SAC Assessment Questionnaire

    The Mt. SAC Assessment Questionnaire (AQ) in the Mt. SAC Portal will give you recommendations for enrolling in transfer-level English, math, and reading courses.  All Mt. SAC students are required to complete the AQ. The assessment and placement process has been established to enable all students the opportunity to be successful in their coursework.

    After you set up your Mt. SAC Portal, go to www.mtsac.edu/aq, and complete the Assessment Questionnaire (AQ) to obtain your English and math course placement. View a helpful video explaining how to complete the online assessment here.

  • Register for classes!

    Do not register for classes until you receive notification that you have been cleared for AESA. If you register before you are cleared, you may get charged fees.

    We recommend that you schedule an appointment with your AESA counselor before you register for classes as the process can be confusing and you should create an Educational Plan to help you stay on track.

    You can also learn how to add classes through this Admissions webpage. 

    Helpful links:

  • Advance out of AESA (eventually)

    You will be ready to leave AESA when the time is right! This could be when you:

    • Earn your high school diploma or GED/HiSET certificate
    • Have established California residency
    • Are eligible for non-resident exemption under AB540

    • Qualify for financial aid, such as Promise+

    Students who finish their GED/HiSET or Adult Diploma mid-semester could be charged Mt. SAC out-of-state fees, which can cost thousands of dollars, so it's best to finish out the semester as an AESA student. As a result, we HIGHLY recommend taking your last GED/HiSET test a couple days after your last semester in AESA ends and/or finishing your last Adult Diploma class on the last day of your last semester in AESA. 

    Whatever your goal is, when you have met it, you will need to re-do CCCApply and indicate that you are not in an adult school. This will enable you to be re-coded as either a first-time or returning college student. Congratulations!

AESA +

Get eligible for AESA with the Mt. SAC Adult High School & GED/HiSET Prep programs. Establish non-resident exemption status through AB540 with DREAM. Learn English and career skills with the School of Continuing Education!
 

AESA + High School

Earn your Adult High School Diploma or GED/HiSET Certificate while taking college classes!

You have to be currently enrolled in an adult high school or GED/HiSET preparation program in order to qualify for AESA. If you are not currently in a high school or GED program, we invite you to join us at Mt. SAC!

Register here or click on the links below for more info!

Adult High School Program

The Adult High School Program offers free classes ONLINE and/or in-person. Adult students can earn credits toward completion of a high school diploma under the guidance of an instructor and support staff. Coursework is offered in small group instruction, computer aided instruction, and individual study. A cap and gown graduation is held on the Mt. SAC campus in June to honor students receiving high school diplomas.

GED/HiSET Prep

The General Education Development (GED) Test and the HiSET both measure your knowledge and academic skills against those of today's traditional high school graduates. Students who pass the GED or HiSET test will be granted a California High School Equivalency (HSE) Certificate. 

Adult Basic Education offers two ways to prepare for the GED or HiSET: on-campus preparation in the Adult Basic Education Learning Center and online. 

AESA + DREAM

Work toward AB540 non-resident exemption while you take college credits & finish high school!

What is the DREAM Program?

The DREAM Program is an educational and support program designed to guide undocumented students and allies, with or without DACA. DREAM provides services and events that are carefully arranged to help undocumented students navigate Mt. SAC, academic success, and life beyond the classroom. They provide guidance with financial aid, private and institutional scholarships, assistance with the CA Dream Act, mentorship, immigration legal services, health resources, and referrals that pertain to the undocumented experience.

The DREAM program serves students who are undocumented immigrants as well as those who are notable allies of the undocumented community. An ‘undocumented immigrant’ is someone who is residing in the country without legal documentation. This includes people who: entered the U.S. without inspection, overstayed their legal status, have and do not have DACA, and those who are in the process of legalizing. Allies in our program have a strong commitment to supporting undocumented people--be this a close friend, partner, co-worker, or family member.  To learn more about who is included in the term “undocumented,” please review Immigrant Rising’s Defining Undocumented.  

How can enrolling in AESA + DREAM help me financially?

Students who do not qualify for in-state tuition have to pay out-of-state tuition. This could be due to not living in California long enough to meet the residency requirement, immigration status, or other circumstances. In-state fees are $46/unit (as of January 2023) without financial aid, while out-of-state fees are $357/unit. AESA can help by eliminating fees for students who qualify.

How can AESA + DREAM help me with AB 540 eligibility?

AESA can help you become eligible for AB 540 in two ways. First, the high school and/or GED/HiSET prep classes AND the free credit courses can help you reach the Time/Coursework requirement for AB 540. Second, you can meet the Degree Completion requirement by obtaining your high school diploma or GED/HiSET certificate (see information to the right).

How does future AB 540 eligibility help me?

AB 540 makes you eligible for in-state resident tuition fees by waiving your out-of-state nonresident fees. It also makes you eligible for financial aid. For other questions or support related to your immigration status, you can contact the DREAM Program at (909) 274-5959 or dreamprogram@mtsac.edu. You can also learn more at www.immigrantsrising.org.

How do I qualify for AB 540?

This is a general overview. For specifics about your situation, please contact the DREAM program at dreamprogram@mtsac.edu.

Time/Coursework Requirement

Three full-time years of attendance earned in a California:

    • High School
    • Adult School (420 hours = one year)
    • Community College Noncredit courses  (420 hours = one year)
    • Community College Credit courses (24 semester units = one year)
    • Or any combination of the above 

OR

Three years of high school coursework and three years of total attendance in a California elementary and/or secondary school.

AND Degree Completion Requirement

Fulfill one of the following:

    • Graduate from a California high school
    • Obtain a GED or HiSET in California
    • Attain an associate degree from a California Community College
    • Fulfill minimum transfer requirements for UC or CSU

This information is subject to change.

AESA + SCE

Learn English or career skills while you take college classes & finish high school!

SCE programs are designed to help you gain new knowledge and skills to build the life you want. We offer a wide range of low-cost or no-cost classes, whether you are looking for personal improvement, college prep, or career advancement.

Program areas include:

  • English as a Second Language
  • Short-Term Vocational
  • Adult Basic Education
  • Community & Contract Education
  • Adults with Disabilities
  • Education for Older Adults