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Paso Robles High School

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Cuesta College

Cuesta College

The Cuesta College logo features a mountain scene within an arch.

 

Cuesta College is a Community College. The Cuesta Promise provides two years of free attendance for San Luis Obispo County high school graduates, including undocumented students, who enroll immediately after graduation. This benefit covers two consecutive Fall, Summer, and Spring semesters. The Cuesta Promise covers tuition for various educational paths, including creditbearing certificate pathways, skilled trade, technology programs, and career training, provided the programs are credit-based and the student meets all eligibility requirements, such as immediate enrollment and full-time status.

 

Transferring from a Community College to a Four-Year University

If you are planning to transfer from a community college, such as Cuesta College, to a four-year university, keep the following important points in mind:

  • Pursue an Associate Degree for Transfer
    To initiate the transfer process, you need to pursue an Associate Degree for Transfer. 
  • You must earn a total of 60 credits/units. For reference, a full-time student typically takes 12 units/credits per semester. However, to reach the 60 units/credits needed for transfer within two years, you should aim for 15 units/credits per semester.
  • Verify Transferable Credits/Units
    It is crucial to determine which of your credits/units will be accepted by the university you wish to transfer to. Contact your prospective university! Each institution has different policies regarding transferable credits. Reach out to the university's admissions or transfer office to confirm which of your completed credits/units will be accepted.
    UC’s require students to complete a 7-course pattern in addition to basic requirements.
    • ASSIST (assist.org) is the official online student-transfer and articulation system for California’s public higher education institutions. It shows prospective students how course credits earned at a California Community College (CCC) can be applied when transferring to a California State University (CSU), a University of California (UC), or participating Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) institutions.  
      Note: It is recommended to use Assist in partnership with a college transfer counselor.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure a smoother transition from a community college to a four-year university.

Dual Enrollment and Enrichment Courses through Cuesta

You can take classes at Cuesta College while you are still in high school! Students can take up to 11 credits in College Classes per semester. This means you can get a head start on your career or college classes by taking classes through Cuesta, either through Dual Enrollement Courses or through the Enrichment Program. We've designed this page to help you with Cuesta Programs. Click on the links below for more information!

  • Protect Your College GPA: Treat DE classes as real college classes – withdrawing late or receiving low grades creates an official college transcript that stays on your record.
  • Plan Your Degree Track Early: Try to take DE courses that fulfill general education requirements or lower-division major requirements to prevent "wasted" credits that eat into your 150% SAP limit.

If you need personal advice for your student regarding dual enrollment or enrichtment classes, please contact our Dual Enrollment Counselor Mrs. Pedrin or speak with your counselor.

 

High School Students - Dual Enrollment

(Dual enrolled - within a students’ established high school bell schedule) 

High School Students - Enrichment

(Enrichtment - on students own accord, outside a students’ established high school bell schedule)

 

Something to consider: Financial Aid & Dual Enrollment/Enrichment –  The 150% Rule

While earning college credit in high school is a fantastic way to cut higher education costs, there is a lesser-known federal policy that every student and parent should keep on their radar: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and the 150% Rule.

 

What Is the 150% Rule?

Federal financial aid policies allow students to receive aid for up to 150% of the total credits required to complete their degree program. Because the rule uses a percentage, the maximum credit cut off changes depending on the length of the degree program. Once you reach that Financial Aid Cap credit mark, federal financial aid – including Pell Grants and direct student loans – typically stops.

 

Degree Type Requ. Credits to Graduate 150% Fin. Aid Cap
Associate Degree ~ 60 credits 90 credits (60x1.5 )
Stand. Bachelor’s Degree ~ 120 credits 180 credits (120x1.5)
Engineering Bachelor’s ~ 128 credits 192 credits (128 x1.5)

 

 

Why This Matters

Every college credit you earn for dual enrollment/enrichment counts toward that total federal credit threshold. If your dual enrollment credits directly fulfill general education or major requirements for your chosen degree, you stay on track smoothly. However, if you enter college with 30 or 40 credits that do not apply to your specific major, those credits still count against your Financial Aid Cap credit maximum limit. 

If you switch majors, add a second minor, or take a lighter course load later in your college career, those “unused” dual enrollment credits shorten your financial aid runway. You could potentially run out of financial aid eligibility during your senior year—even if you haven't attended four full years of traditional college.

Cuesta College Direct Links

Informational Items from the PRHS School Board

Early Middle College Design for PRHS – News, Notes & Votes | 2/10/26 Boardmeeting

Click here to watch this segment on YouTube.

 

The Board received an informational presentation from Megan Cannon, College and Career Coordinator, outlining the design of an Early College program for Paso Robles High School. In addition to dual enrolled courses, this program would allow students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously through structured pathways, including CTE-aligned options and general education tracks. The presentation highlighted increased college completion likelihood, and a phased implementation beginning in the 2026–27 school year.

In the News

Reasons to Consider Community College – U.S. News, 04/08/2026

Cuesta College named among top 200 U.S. community colleges  - Paso Robles Daily News 11/1/2025