Hope Scholars Program
Coastline's Hope Scholars Program proudly provides distance education to students in state prisons. This page is to assist family members and advocates with information on education and support services for Coastline students who are currently incarcerated, also known as Hope Scholars.
Resources for Students who are Currently Incarcerated
View / Download the latest student guide containing information on registration and support services. An accessible version of the Guide is also available.
A full list of important dates can be found in our Academic Calendar.
Spring 2026
- Term: January 31 - May 30
- Last day to register: January 30
- Final grades to be sent to CDCR Principals: July 13 - July 17
Summer 2025
- Term: June 09 - August 15
- Last day to register: June 06
- Final grades to be sent to CDCR Principals: October 6 - October 10
Fall 2025
- Term: August 25 - December 13
- Last day to register: August 22
- Final grades to be sent to CDCR Principals: February 09 - February 13
- Admissions and Records
- Questions regarding: applications, registration, residency, transcripts
- Email: isep@coastline.edu
- Phone: (714) 241-6315
- Counseling
- Questions regarding: degree planning, academic probation
- Email: counselingdept@coastline.edu
- Phone: (714) 241-6162
- Financial Aid
- Questions regarding: California College Promise Grant (BOG waiver)
- Email: financialaid@coastline.edu
- Phone: (714) 241-6239
- Graduation
- Questions regarding: graduation application status
- Email: cccgradoffice@coastline.edu
- Phone: (714) 241-6002, Option 3
- Instructional Support
- Questions regarding: exams, communication with instructors, late work notifications, etc.
- Email: dlearning@coastline.edu
- Phone: (714) 241-6216
- Library
- Questions regarding: library services, research
- Email: library@coastline.edu
- Phone: (714) 241-6117
- Special Programs & Services for the Disabled
- Questions regarding: disabled services, special accommodations
- Email: specialprograms@coastline.edu
- Phone: (714) 241-6214
The following link provides a comprehensive contact list of departments and individuals who support Hope Scholars organized by topics: Hope Scholars Contact List
Coastline's Hope Scholars Program offers courses that apply to one or more of the following degree programs and certificate:
- Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T & AS-T)
- Communications Studies
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Associate in Arts (AA) & Associate in Science (AS)
- Majors / Area of Emphasis:
- American Studies
- Arts & Humanities
- Business
- Science & Math
- Social & Behavioral
- Sociology
- Certificate of Achievement
- Business
Textbooks and Course Materials
Hope Scholars Canvas courses are self-contained with all materials, including books and other reading materials embedded. Students who would like access to a hard copy of a textbook can speak to their education department.
Grades
- Final Grade Reports
- Updates are sent from the Admissions & Records Office after the end of the semester.
Transcripts
More information can be found on Coastline's Transcripts page.
Students can request these forms from their proctors. There are specific filing periods per semester and forms must be sent in or postmarked before the deadline.
Graduation Filing Period
Information about how / when you can Petition to Graduate can be found on the Graduation webpage. These dates will change each year.
Once the graduation department receives the petition, the evaluation process will begin 2-4 weeks after the closing date. The student will receive a letter from the graduation department letting them know if they were approved or denied. If approved, the diplomas will be mailed 2 months after the end of the semester.
Continuing Student
If you are released from prison and want to continue your education with Coastline - and have not missed 2 semesters or more - you will need to do the following:
- Contact Admissions & Records to fill out the Change of Address form and submit a photo ID. Once that is processed, Admissions & Records will give you access to your MyCoast account along with your account information.
- Contact the Financial Aid office to update your status.
- Contact Counseling to update your status.
Returning Student
If you are released from prison and want to continue your education with Coastline - and have missed 2 semesters or more - you will need to do the following:
- Apply to Coastline / fill out a new online application.
- Contact the Financial Aid office to update your status.
- Contact Counseling to update your status.
Release and Transition
As you prepare for release, please know that Coastline College is committed to helping you transition to being a 'formerly incarcerated' student with Coastline. We have a number of community resources we can recommend to assist with this transition. We have meetings for our formerly incarcerated students to meet other students, learn about different college and community programs and services, and answer any questions you might have.
Learn more on the Rising Tide Scholars webpage.
You can also call us at (714) 241-6142 for general assistance.
