Cuesta College is a two-year institution that is part of the greater San Luis Obispo County Community College District. San Luis Obispo is located along the Pacific coast of California, between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The institution was established in 1963. Cuesta College earned a Silver Medal Eureka Award for Quality and Service Excellence in 1996. The college provides students with many services and programs to enhance their education. Roughly 9,000 students attend the San Luis Obispo campus, earning associate degrees and certificates.
Cuesta College
Academics
Cuesta College offers both associate degrees and certificates to its students. There are several instructional programs for students to pick from, including vocational/technical training, distance education, continuing education, and lower division academic transfer courses. As a commuter’s college, Cuesta offers classes both during the day and in the evening to accommodate busy schedules. There are 64 degree programs: 34 Associate of Arts degrees and 30 Associate of Science degrees. One hundred nineteen certificate programs are also offered.
Students at Cuesta College are able to study a wide variety of subjects, including:
Culinary Arts
Education
Engineering
Hospitality
Interior Design
Leadership
Nutrition
Recreation
Many other traditional subjects are also available for students.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Cuesta College.
A huge part of Cuesta College is the variety of community programs offered to not just students but people living in the surrounding areas. Special programs are integrated into Cuesta College’s everyday existence, benefiting people of all ages and backgrounds.
Aquatics
Cuesta College has an aquatics program for students and community members. There are a variety of classes available for both children and adults. Some classes include:
Aquakinetics – exercising in a warm pool to increase flexibility and range of motion. Includes moderate aerobics.
Aqua Aerobics – work out at your own pace.
Aqua Power Aerobics – fast-paced class for aerobic conditioning and strength training.
Prenatal Water Aerobics – for pre or postnatal women to stay in shape.
Deep Water Workout – workouts to address cardiovascular and muscular systems. Includes water walking, water jogging, lap swimming, and deep water exercises.
The aquatics programs available for children include:
Baby and Me – ages 6 months to 4 years
Tiny Tot – ages 3 and 4 years
Level 1 Introduction – at least 5 years
Level 2 Fundamentals – at least 5 years
Level 3 Stroke Development
Level 4 Stroke Improvement
Level 5 Stroke Refinement
Level 6 Swimming and Skill Proficiency
College for Kids
The College for Kids program at Cuesta College is an enrichment opportunity for students entering 5th through 9th grades. The students participate in a variety of classes ranging from science forums and literary symposiums to history adventures. Students explore subjects in educational yet fun environments.
Community Education Classes and Activities
A variety of short enrichment classes and workshops are available for students and community members to attend. Most do so to hone a skill or learn something on the side. Topics range from animal care and arts/crafts to writing, cooking, and languages.
Community Recreation, Sports Camps, and Activities
Cuesta College offers students a range of recreational and athletic classes and intramurals. Students are able to participate in sports such as golf, sailing, tennis, and volleyball.
Cuesta College
Admissions
In addition to the normal college application requirements, students interested in attending Cuesta College can find a tremendous amount of support from the admissions staff. All students who would like to apply have to be placed in both English and Math courses through qualified assessments. There are a variety of ways students can qualify for each of the two subject areas.
New students interested in taking an English course will be placed one of the following ways:
Submit a high school transcript and take the Cuesta College English Placement Exam.
Submit a high school transcript and earn a 3.7 GPA and an A in a high school senior level English course.
Submit a high school transcript and complete an English placement exam at another public California college or university.
Earn at least a C in an English course taken at another college or university.
Score at least 24 on the ACT English exam.
Score at least 680 on the SAT English Writing exam.
Score at least 8 on the UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam.
Gain a “Ready for CSU College-Level English Course” status on the Early Assessment Program.
Score at least 3 on the AP English Literature or Composition Exam.
New students interested in taking a Math course will be placed one of the following ways:
Submit a high school transcript and take the Cuesta College Math Placement Exam.
Submit a high school transcript and complete a math placement exam at another public California college or university.
Earn at least a C in a mathe course taken at another college or university.
Score at least 23 on the ACT Math exam.
Score at least 550 on the SAT Math exam.
Gain a “Ready for CSU College-Level Math Course” status on the Early Assessment Program.
Score at least 3 on the AP Calculus or AP Statistics Exam.
Financial Aid
Cuesta College students are able to get financial assistance through many different channels. The multiple opportunities for students to apply for monetary aid allows students to get an education without finances as a barrier.
One way for students to gain assistance is to apply for the Board of Governors Fee Waiver. This is available to all California residents intending to enroll in a community college in the state. The funds are used to cover registration fees but does not waive optional fees for students. In addition, students are not held accountable for future fee increases. The Board of Governors Fee Waiver is available for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
Grants are also available for Cuesta College students. These are competitive federal grants that students can apply for through filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are also state grants available for California residents only. These are the Cal Grants, based on both academic performance and financial need. Special grants are also available for foster youth who would like to attend Cuesta College.
Students who are in financial need may also opt to work in the Federal Work Study (FWS) Program. Wages begin at $8.00/hour and students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. They must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to remain employed. Work study students also need to be enrolled in at least 6 units in order to be eligible.
The Cuesta College Foundation provides students with scholarships to offset their tuition. Several scholarships are awarded, including those from the Governor’s Scholarship Program, Osher Scholarship, and the Child Development Grant Program.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Cuesta College 3922nd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best California scholarships and financial aid
Cuesta College students are able to participate in a myriad of activities throughout the school year. Many on-campus events are in collaboration with the different departments, programs, and organizations. The ASCC Social Club is also available for students. Current students are able to benefit from the club’s facilities and amenities, which include a big screen TV, a foosball table, X-Box 360 and Kinect, a pool table, and a smorgasbord of comfortable couches to lounge around on during the day and into the night.
Students at Cuesta College can also practice their broadcasting skills at KGUR, the student-run cable channel. Students host musical programs as well as produce and present their independent pieces through the station. Students are able to practice their communication, production, and technical skills at KGUR.
Cuesta College also has a variety of clubs and organizations related to fields of study for students to join. A variety of club activities can be found on the Cuesta College Event Calendar.
The Cuesta College Foundation is a part of the alumni association. It was established, in 1973, as a nonprofit corporation for the sole purpose of promoting the welfare of Cuesta College. The foundation supports the college in attaining scientific, cultural, and educational goals. Individual organizations and businesses in the San Luis Obispo area support the college through donations to the Cuesta College Foundation.
College personnel support former students in maintaining relationships by organizing activities for alum. Typically, alumni will gather together to work on a legacy project, the latest being Cougar Park, which provides a scenic setting on campus for students and visitors to enjoy.
Bibliography
Boroch, Deborah, et. al. Student Success in Community Colleges: A Practical Guide to Developmental Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010. Print.
This website and associated pages are not associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cuesta College. StateUniversity.com has no official or unofficial affiliation with Cuesta College.
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