Frequently Asked Questions
All current high school graduates from the Coachella Valley, including homeschooled students and graduates of adult GED/high school programs, are accepted, regardless of age.
plEDGE only covers Fall and Spring semesters. If a student registers for Winter intersession or Summer session courses, the student is financially responsible for paying for their course(s), or the student can contact the Financial Aid Office to verify if their financial aid can cover these costs.
plEDGE covers eligible students’ tuition and fees for two consecutive years. These monies are applied by the end of the academic year. NOTE: Students may see a pending balance on their accounts after the start of the semester, but this will not prevent students from registering for classes for following semesters.
A student is able to miss a semester or a year; however, plEDGE will only cover two consecutive years after the student graduated high school and completed the EDGE program.
Yes, all students must complete the summer bridge EDGE program immediately after graduating from high school to be admitted into the plEDGE program.
If you did not complete EDGE immediately after graduating from high school, unfortunately, you are not eligible for plEDGE.
No, you do not have to retake EDGE if you successfully completed the program. However, if you believe it will benefit you to re-take EDGE, or a counselor has advised you to do so, then yes you can retake EDGE.
All COD degree programs, including certificate programs, are covered by plEDGE.
No. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects all confidential student information, including attendance, class schedules, and grades.
Yes. First year plEDGE students receive priority registration for the Winter and Spring terms after successfully completing the EDGE program.
Students should attempt to stay enrolled in 12 units throughout the semester. If you need to drop classes, see a counselor for assistance to help you stay on track for your academic program. Students who meet the following exemptions may still remain eligible for plEDGE:
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Students with disabilities may be eligible to take fewer than 12 units with DSPS counselor approval
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Students who are currently employed full-time
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Students who are pursuing a certificate-based program of study
Students are responsible for 10 hours per academic year to remain eligible in the plEDGE program. Students have until the end of the academic school year to submit their hours. Students can find opportunities on our webpage or can look for their own volunteer opportunities anywhere in the valley. Some examples include: churches, festivals, COD events, etc.
Students who received a “W” or “F” will remain in plEDGE. However, students do need to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to remain in the program.
Yes. It is a requirement of plEDGE that each student complete a financial aid application and have it on file. Students will still qualify for plEDGE, regardless of family income.
You may need to submit additional documents with the Financial Aid Office. To check for pending required documents, go to your Financial Aid Self Service portal in WebAdvisor. If you do not complete your Financial Aid file by the deadline, you will be responsible to pay the balance on your account.
If you do not complete your financial aid file, you will be financially responsible for your classes.
plEDGE students may show a balance on their accounts through the end of the semester, but this should not prevent them from registering for courses for upcoming semester.
If you paid for your classes, you may request a refund through the Bursar’s Office. Please make sure to fill out an Application for a Refund, which can be found on the Bursar’s page of the College of the Desert website.
Yes, you are still eligible for plEDGE if you are not an AB540 student. If you have any questions about your residency as it applies to plEDGE, please contact us.
