EL CAJON – It’s your education – your way!
This fall, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges will welcome students back to campus, with more classes and activities set to take place in person. The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District is making it easier for students to fully re-engage in campus life – whether the goal is to gain credits to transfer to a four-year college or university, get critical training for a sought-after job, or obtain new skills to advance in an established career. The colleges stand ready to help students design a schedule that fits their lives.
Fall registration kicks off today, June 27, for priority student groups, and on July 14 for all students.
It’s an exciting time to get back on track and back on campus to pursue an education, career training, friendships, and fun at college. Grossmont and Cuyamaca have been welcoming students back over the past year with many on-campus classes, celebrations, and concerts, and the return to campus life will continue in earnest this fall. Sasha Reva, an 18-year-old student at Grossmont College studying political science and media communications, is among those students cheering the continuing shift back to more on-campus learning. “I feel it’s important to finally come back to campus, because students need interactive learning,” she said. “It’s really hard sometimes to pay attention to school at home. I’ve seen so many people, and they’re happy to be back on campus because it’s a part of what they lost during the pandemic,” she said.
With the summer session now underway, the district is paving the way for a smooth fall registration process.
Rich Offering of Courses Available
Students can choose from rich academic schedules this fall, with choices of online, in-person, and hybrid classes.
At Grossmont College, more than half of the classes offered this fall will be in-person. Remaining courses will be taught online or in a hybrid format (part in-person and part online). At Cuyamaca College, about half of classes will be taught either in-person or in a hybrid format, and the other half online.
Numerous surveys of students, not just within GCCCD but across California, have shown that students are looking for flexibility in schedules, as well as low-cost tuition, and quick completion times. That’s why Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are offering fast, flexible, and affordable course offerings. Students can complete many classes in as few as four to six weeks. Many classes are taught by instructors who also teach at the University of California and California State University campus – at a fraction of the cost. Nearly all for-credit courses are transferable to campuses in the UC and CSU systems, as well as other universities and colleges.
Fall course highlights include:
- Grossmont College: Fall’s course catalog features a wide variety of offerings, including a new Drone Technology Certificate Program and new Supply Chain Management Certificate Program, as well as courses in Office Professional Training and World Languages.
- Cuyamaca College: Students will have many educational options, including courses at the highly regarded Center for Water Studies; in Paralegal Studies; in Child Development and Elementary Education, for which there continues to be high demand for educated employees in our region; and Graphic Design. Students can now more quickly obtain the transferable credits they need for their future education.
Registration Help Available on Both Campuses and Online
This summer, students can visit either campus Monday through Thursday to obtain help registering for fall classes.
- Grossmont College: From June 28 to July 14, Grossmont College will offer registration help at its Registration Lab in Building 10-172, Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 1 pm and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Counselors will be available to help students navigate fall classes, become better acquainted with the online program WebAdvisor, search for classes, and find answers to questions Sign up for registration help here. On Tuesday, June 28 Grossmont College will host a “Fall Registration Party” with food, music, games, and – most important – help registering for the fall semester. The event will be held in the Main Quad and in Building 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sign up for registration help here.
- Questions? Send an email to grossmont2success@gcccd.edu. | Additional registration information can be found here.
- Cuyamaca College: Through August 5, the Outreach Office (located in A-104) is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for general registration assistance. No appointment or registration is necessary. A New Student Lab will also be available July 18-21 (the hours and location are being determined). Please register in advance.
Students looking for support online can also find it through both college websites. Grossmont’s student service programs are geared toward student recruitment, retention, transition, and academic success. Cuyamaca College’s Student Help Center offers assistance completing an application, registering for classes, acquiring financial aid, help with technology.
More Flexible COVID-19 Requirements
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the district has carefully followed public health guidance to protect the health and safety of students and employees. District and college officials continue to carefully monitor public health conditions in our region and respond appropriately with a strong focus on health and safety of students and employees.
Starting this fall, COVID-19 vaccinations will be optional for students, and weekly COVID-19 testing will be encouraged but not required for students who have received COVID-19 exemptions. All students must continue to wear masks in instructional learning and student support spaces.
For the latest on COVID-related requirements, go to Grossmont’s COVID-19 resources webpage for Grossmont College and Cuyamaca’s COVID-19 resources webpage for Cuyamaca College.
Financial aid is also available through Grossmont College Financial Aid Office and the Cuyamaca College Financial Aid Office. Payment plans are available. If you are a first-time college student planning to attend full time, you may be eligible for free tuition through the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Promise program.
The district’s two colleges, Grossmont College in El Cajon and Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, together serve about 24,000 students. For information about the college district, go to GCCCD homepage.