Information & Policies

See smc.edu/directory for a complete, searchable directory.

• Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica310-434-4000
• Automated Call Center310-434-4001
• Academic Senate310-434-4611
• Accounts Payable310-434-4283
• Admissions Office310-434-4380
• Nonresident Admissions310-434-4461, 310-434-4595
• International Student Admissions310-434-4217
• Adult Education310-434-3403, 310-434-4115
• Airport Arts Campus310-434-4229
• Alumni310-434-8400
• Art Department310-434-4230
• Art Gallery310-434-3434
• Exhibit Information310-434-8204
• Associated Students and
• Student Clubs310-434-4250
• Associates310-434-4100
• Athletics310-434-4310
• Auxiliary Services Business Office310-434-4255
• Black Collegians Umoja Community310-434-4232
• Board of Trustees310-434-4241
• Bookstore (see Campus Store)310-434-4258
• Broadcasting Program310-434-4583
• BroadStage, The310-434-3200
• Business Education Department310-434-4295
• CalWORKs310-434-4082
• Campus Police (Emergency)310-434-4300
• Campus Police (NONemergency)310-434-4608
• Campus Store – Airport Arts Campus310-434-4637
• Campus Store – Bundy Campus310-434-3480
• Campus Store – Center for Media and Design310-434-3750
• Campus Store – Main Campus310-434-4258
• Campus Store – SMC Performing Arts Center310-434-3482
• CARE (Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education)310-434-4449
• Career Services Center310-434-4337
• Cashier’s Office310-434-4664
• Center for Media and Design (CMD)310-434-3700
• Center for Wellness & Wellbeing310-434-4503, 800-691-6003
• Child Development310-434-8109
• Children’s Services Coordinator310-434-8280
• College Ombudsperson310-434-3986
• Communication and Media Studies Department310-434-4246
• Communication Studies Program310-434-4246
• Community Education310-434-3400
• Community Relations Office310-434-4100
• Computer Classes – Business Department310-434-4295
• Corsair Newspaper310-434-4340
• Cosmetology Department310-434-4292
• Counseling & Transfer Services310-434-4210
• CSEA Office310-434-4068
• Curriculum Office310-434-4277
• Custodian’s Office310-434-4366
• Dance Department310-434-3467
• Design Technology Department310-434-3720
• Disabled Students Center (DSPS)310-434-4265
• Distance Education Program310-434-3761
• DREAM Program310-434-4892
• Drescher Planetarium310-434-3005
• Early Childhood/Education310-434-8109
• Earth Science Department310-434-4767
• Education and Early Childhood Counseling310-434-8109
• Edye, The310-434-3200
• Emeritus Program310-434-4306
• Employment Information – Academic310-434-4336
• Employment Information – Non-Teaching310-434-4415
• Employment Information – Student310-434-4343, 310-434-4337
• English Department310-434-4242
• Environmental Studies Department310-434-4901
• EOPS (Extended Opportunity Program and Services)310-434-4268
• ESL Department310-434-4260
• Events – Information/Tickets310-434-3005
• Events – Center for Media and Design310-434-3777
• Events – SMC Performing Arts Center310-434-3200
• Events – Business Office310-434-3005
• Extension, SMC310-434-3400
• Facility Rentals310-434-3002
• Faculty Association310-434-4394
• Fashion Design/Merchandising310-434-4621
• Film Studies Program310-434-4246
• Financial Aid Office310-434-4343
• Fitness Center310-434-4741
• Foundation310-434-4215
• General Advisory Board310-434-4100
• Grants310-434-3718
• Graphic Design Program310-434-3720
• Guardian Scholars Program310-434-4491
• Health Sciences Counseling310-434-3450
• Health Sciences Department310-434-3450
• Health Services – Student310-434-4262
• High Tech Training Center310-434-4267
• Human Resources310-434-4415
• Interior Design Program310-434-3720
• International Education Center310-434-4217
• Job Placement – Student310-434-4343
• Journalism Program310-434-4246
• KCRW 89.9 FM310-450-5183
• Kinesiology Department310-434-4310
• KWRF310-434-4583
• Latino Center310-434-4459
• Learning Disabilities Program310-434-4684
• Library310-434-4334
• Life Sciences Department310-434-4761
• Maintenance – Operations – Grounds310-434-4378
• Mathematics Department310-434-4274
• Matriculation310-434-8708
• Media Center310-434-4352
• Media Studies Program310-434-4246
• Modern Languages Department310-434-4248
• Music Department310-434-4323
• Noncredit Initiatives/Programs310-434-3399
• Nursing Program310-434-3450
• Ombudsperson310-434-3986
• Outreach and Recruitment Office310-434-4189
• Parking Enforcement310-434-4608
• Payroll310-434-4234
• Personnel Commission310-434-4410
• Philosophy and Social Sciences
• Department310-434-4244
• Photography Department310-434-3547
• Photography Gallery310-434-4289
• Physical Education310-434-4310
• Physical Sciences Department310-434-4788
• Pico Partnership Program310-434-4926
• Planetarium310-434-3005
• Planning and Development310-434-4215
• Pool Information310-458-8700
• President’s Office310-434-4200
• Psychology Department310-434-4276
• Public Information Office310-434-4454
• Public Policy Institute310-434-3429
• Public Programs310-434-4100
• Purchasing310-434-4304
• Receiving Department310-434-4373
• Registration310-434-4380
• Reprographics310-434-4828
• Scholars Program310-434-4371
• 24-hour Recorded Information310-434-4059
• Scholarships310-434-4290
• School Relations Office310-434-4189
• Shuttle Information310-434-4608
• SMC Extension310-434-3400
• Social Sciences Department310-434-4244
• Speech (now Communication Studies) Program310-434-4246
• STEM/MAS Program310-434-3988
• Student Complaints310-434-3986
• Student Judicial Affairs310-434-4220
• Study Abroad Programs310-434-4342
• Success & Engagement Center310-434-8040
• Superintendent’s Office310-434-4200
• Swim Center (Pool) Information310-458-8700
• Teacher Academy at SMC310-434-8109
• Telecommunications Services310-434-3010
• Theatre Arts Department310-434-4319
• Theater Information310-434-4319
• Title IX Coordinator310-434-4225
• Transcripts310-434-4392
• Transfer Counseling310-434-4210
• Tutoring – Business and Computer Science (CSIS)310-434-4322
• Tutoring – English, Humanities310-434-4682
• Tutoring – ESL310-434-8463
• Tutoring – Math310-434-8586
• Tutoring – Modern Language310-434-4683
• Tutoring – Science310-434-4630
• Veterans Success Center (VRC)310-434-8205
• Welcome Center310-434-4189, 310-434-4181
• Workforce Development310-434-4040

SMC has a planned education process called “matriculation,” which helps you match your interests, abilities, needs, and goals with the College’s courses, programs, and services. The matriculation process includes orientation, placement, and educational planning/counseling to design a program of courses that meets your education goals.

To find out how the matriculation process can benefit you, please see the annual SMC catalog.

Regular attendance and participation are obligations assumed by every student at the time of enrollment.

A student enrolled in any class at smc must attend — or (if an online class) actively participate in — all sessions of the class that meet during the first week of the class or risk being dropped from the class by the instructor. Instructors may also withdraw you later for excessive absences or nonparticipation (if enrolled in an online class).

You may withdraw from classes online through Corsair Connect. It is the YOUR responsibility to withdraw from a class by the course-specific deadline — informing the instructor is NOT sufficient notice. Failure to withdraw (officially drop) from a class could result in a grade of F (0.0), and owed fees.

The Admissions Office is not responsible for incomplete online transactions. Please confirm your transactions (including withdrawals), then print and review your revised schedule. You must have this proof to contest any discrepancies.

• Specific deadlines to request a refund, avoid a W, or receive a guaranteed W are listed in your Corsair Connect account. Add reminders to your calendar.
  

• Late withdrawals with extenuating circumstance: After the guaranteed “W” deadline has passed, you may request withdrawal from a class by submitting a Special Consideration Petition ONLY if there are extenuating circumstances (such as verified cases of an accident, illness, or other circumstances beyond your control) which make the withdrawal necessary. It may take several weeks to review your request, and there is no guarantee it will be approved. If your request is approved, you will receive a W, and units earned in the class will be included in “enrolled units” on your SMC transcript. PLEASE NOTE: If you have not withdrawn by this deadline, you will receive a grade of A (4.0), B (3.0), C (2.0), D (1.0), F (0.0), P (Pass), or NP (No Pass) from the instructor. If you do not qualify for late withdrawal or you cease to attend the class, you may receive a grade of F (0.0). The instructor will be asked for feedback on your petition.

  Note: The instructor issuing an F (0.0) to you may be asked by the Financial Aid Office to verify if the F was the result of ‘nonattendance.’ Nonattendance means your last attendance date —or, if enrolled in an online or hybrid class, the last date of your substantive participation — was prior to the 60% point of completion of the course. Poor performance means you participated after the 60% point in the course and earned an F. Nonattendance may be grounds for return of financial aid funds.

• If you have completed a course — including taking the final exam or submitting final projects — you are not eligible for a late withdrawal. If you are contesting a grade for a completed course, you should meet with the instructor.

Requests to withdraw AFTER the class and term has ended must be submitted no later than the deadlines below (without exception) by completing a Petition for Special Consideration available at smc.edu/forms.

• Excused withdrawals: An Excused Withdrawal (EW) may be granted if you must withdraw from one or more courses due to specific events beyond your control that affect your ability to complete the course(s). You must submit a Late Withdrawal Petition and accompanying supporting documentation to the Admissions Office. The Admissions & Records Special Considerations Committee will render a decision once the petition and documentation have been reviewed. The EW will not be counted in (1) progress probation and dismissal calculations, and (2) will not count against the permitted number of withdrawals or enrollment attempts in a given course. As a result, if you have an Excused Withdrawal (EW), you may repeat the course(s) from which you have withdrawn. Enrollment, tuition, Health Services, SMC student I.D., A.S. Resource, and Student Representation fees will not be refunded.

Deadlines for Removal of Ws and Refund of Fees

• All requests must be submitted within 2 calendar days after the last day of the term when you took the class. To initiate your request, you must file a Special Consideration Petition, available at smc.edu/forms.

A complete explanation of how withdrawal deadlines are determined is available online (see smc.edu/AdminRegulations) and in the annual SMC catalog.

Please Note: Short-term and open-ended courses have their own deadlines (go to smc.edu/datesdeadlines for details).

Observance of religious holidays may have an impact on a student’s scheduled assignments, tests, or examinations. California State Education Code section 76121 states that an instructor must make a reasonable attempt to accommodate a student without penalty when there is a conflict between a student’s religious creed and a scheduled assignment, test, or examination. Affected students should submit a written request to the instructor during the first two weeks of the academic term, or as soon as possible after a particular assignment, test, or examination date is announced by the instructor.

In matters of absence due to other personal necessity such as jury duty or court appearances, accommodation will be at the discretion of the instructor, subject to verification.

Santa Monica College students are expected to take responsibility for meeting the SMC Student Success Standards of “Academic Achievement” (maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all classes taken at Santa Monica College) and “Timely Progress” (not exceeding the allowed percentage of I, W, and NP notations). Failure to meet these standards can lead to:

• Academic probation or progress probation, either one of which will limit how many units you may enroll in, which cannot exceed a maximum of 9 units in a spring or winter session, or 5 units in a winter or summer session;
• Academic disqualification; or
• Progress disqualification.

Both academic and progress disqualification will result in a limit of up to six (6) units maximum during the spring and winter sessions — and up to three (3) units maximum in the spring and fall semesters — if you are reinstated. If you have been disqualified from SMC more than once, you will be asked to take a break from attending SMC for up to a maximum of one year.

If there is ANY possibility that you may be placed on academic or progress probation or be disqualified, you should IMMEDIATELY make arrangements to discuss your situation with a counselor. For details, please visit the SMC Counseling website and click on the “Disqualified and Probation Policies” link in the menu on the left-hand side of the page, or see a counselor. Additional information on academic and progress probation, academic and progress disqualification, and requirements for reinstatement is also available in the annual SMC catalog.

Please Note: Students who are disqualified for academic and/or progress reasons due to fall 2022 grades will be dropped AUTOMATICALLY from all previously enrolled winter 2023 classes.

The State of California requires California College Promise Grant recipients to meet certain minimum academic standards. Please note:

• To remain CCPG-eligible, students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and a course completion rate of at least 50%.
• Students who fail to meet the GPA and/or completion rate standards will be placed on CCPG Probation.
• Students on CCPG Probation have one major term (fall or spring semester) to raise their GPA and/or completion rate.
• Students who fail to raise their GPA and/or completion rate up to the minimum standards may become ineligible for a CCPG for the next fall or spring semester unless they (a) have already enrolled in the next fall or spring semester; or (b) have not yet completed 12 units.

For more information about the new CCPG Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirement, including how to appeal the loss of CCPG eligibility, please go to the SMC Financial Aid webpage.

California Code of Regulations Title 5 limits the number of times a student may repeat a course in the California Community College system. These regulations also require all current and prior course enrollments, repetitions, and withdrawals in a student’s enrollment record to be counted toward the maximum limit.

If you would like — or need — to repeat a course in which you have previously earned an unsatisfactory grade or a W, you may re-enroll ONE TIME without the need to request permission from a counselor. After that, you MUST talk to one of SMC’s academic counselors. Check the Santa Monica College catalog for details.

The Associate degrees (AA, AS, AA-T, AS-T) are granted upon completion of sixty (60) degree-applicable units (general education, area of study, and electives) with a cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) or higher, and a minimum of twelve (12) units in residence must be completed at Santa Monica College. The Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Completion, and Certificate of Competency are granted upon successful completion of required coursework.

To receive your degree or certificate, you must file a Petition for Graduation with the Admissions Office. A link to the form is available at smc.edu/forms, where the form can be filled out and submitted online. Deadlines for filing:

• Spring — Start of spring semester through April 15
• Summer — Start of summer session through July 31
• Fall — Start of fall semester through December 1

Check the Santa Monica College catalog for details, including requirements for graduating with honors.

The Santa Monica Community College District is committed to building an inclusive and diverse environment and maintains a comprehensive program to ensure that practice reflects these principles. Diversity within the college environment provides opportunity to foster mutual awareness, knowledge, and sensitivity, to challenge ingrained stereotypes, and to promote mutual understanding and respect. The District’s equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination policies are set forth in Board Policies 2405, 2410, 3120-3123, 5220, 5230, and 5530. As set forth in these Board Policies, the District is committed to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination in the learning and work environments in accordance with all applicable laws, including, without limitation, California Code of Regulations, Title 5, § 59300 et seq., California Government Code §§ 11135-11139.5, the Sex Equity in Education Act (California Education Code § 66250 et seq.), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12100 et seq.), and the Age Discrimination Act (42 U.S.C. § 6101).

It is important for students, employees, and others associated with the College to report concerns about possible violations of the District’s policies regarding equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. If you need information about the District’s policies or need to report a violation of the laws listed above, you should contact:

• SMC Human Resources Office, 310-434-4415 or hrcomplaints@smc.edu (located on the second floor of the SMC Administration Building, 2714 Pico Blvd), regarding any complaint of unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual discrimination; or
• Eric Oifer, ADA/504 Compliance Officer, 310-434-8912 or oifer_eric@smc.edu (office located in Student Services Center S276) regarding disability discrimination complaints.

El Distrito de Santa Monica Community College tiene el compromiso de crear un ambiente inclusivo y diverso y de mantener un programa comprensivo para asegurarse de que la practica refleja estos principios. La diversdad entre el ambiente colegial provée oportunidad para fomentar el conocimiento, la erudición, y la sensibilidad mutual, luchar contra los estereotipos arraigados, y promover la comprensión y respeto mutual. Las reglas del Distrito sobre igualdad de oportunidades del empleo y de nondiscriminación se disponen en las polisas 2405, 2410, 3120-3123, 5220, 5230 y 5530. El Distrito está comprometido a la igualdad de oportunidades y nondiscriminación en los ambientes de la educación y del trabajo en acuerdo con las leyes, incluyendo, sin la limitación, el Código de las Regulaciones de California Título 5, § 59300 y ss.; el Código de Gobierno de California §§ 11135-11139.5; la Ley sobre Equidad de Sexo en la Educación (Código de Educación de California § 66250 y ss.); el Título VI de la Ley de 1964 sobre Derechos Civiles (42 U.S.C. § 2000d); el Título IX de las Enmiendas de Educación de 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681), Artículo 504 de la Ley de 1973 sobre Rehabilitación (29 U.S.C. § 794); la Ley de 1990 sobre Americanos con Incapacidades (42 U.S.C. § 12100 y ss.); y la Ley sobre Discriminación por Edad (42 U.S.C. § 6101).

Es importante que los estudiantes, el personal y las demás personas relacionadas con el SMC reportan las inquietudes sobre posibles violaciones de las polisas relacionadas a la igualdad de oportunidades del empleo y de nondiscriminación. Si Ud. necesita información sobre las polisas del Distrito o tiene que reportar una violación de cualquier de estas leyes, debe ponerse en contacto con:

• La oficina de SMC Human Resources 310-434-4415 o hrcomplaints@smc.edu (ubicada en el segundo piso del Edificio Administrativo del SMC en 2714 Pico Blvd.) sobre cualquier reporte de discriminación, incluyendo el acoso sexual o discriminación sexual; o con
• Eric Oifer, ADA/504 Oficial de Conformidad 310-434-8912 o oifer_eric@smc.edu (oficina ubicada en la Sala 265 de la biblioteca) sobre reportes de discriminación por discapacidad.

Santa Monica College는 포괄적이며 다양한 환경 조성에 헌신하고 있으며 이런 원칙의 실현을 보장하기 위해 통합적인 프로그램을 유지하고 있습니다. 대학 환경 내에서의 다양성은 상호인식, 지식, 그리고 감성을 육성하기 위해 깊이 배어든 고정관념에 도전하고, 상호 이해와 존중을 증진하는 기회를 제공합니다. 당 교육구의 평등 고용 기회 및 비차별 정책 조항들은 교육위원회 정책 제 2405, 2410, 3120-3123, 5220, 5230 및 5530조항에 명시되어 있습니다. 교육위원회 정책에 명시된 바와 같이, 당 교육구는 다음을 포함하고, 이에 국한되지 않는 모든 준거법에 따라 배움과 근무하는 환경에서 평등한 고용 기회와 차별이 없도록 하는데에 헌신하고 있습니다. 캘리포니아주 법률집 표제5, 제59300 및 이하 참조, 캘리포니아주 정부법 제11135 - 11139.5,남녀평등 교육법(캘리포니아 교육법 제66250 및 이하 참조), 1964년 민권법 표제VI(42 U.S.C. § 2000d), 1972년 교육개정법 표제IX(20 U.S.C. § 1681), 1973년 재활법 제504조(29 U.S.C. § 794), 1990년 미국 장애인 보호법(42 U.S.C. § 12100 및 이하 참조) 및 연령차별금지법(42 U.S.C. § 6101).

학생, 직원 및 그 외 대학과 관련있는 사람들이 평등한 고용 기회와 비차별에 대한 당 교육구의 정책위반의 가능성에 대한 우려를 신고하는 것은 중요합니다. 당 교육구의 정책에 대한 정보를 원하거나 위에 나열된 법률 위반을 신고해야 하는 경우에는 아래 담당자들에게 연락해야 합니다.

• 성추행 및 성차별을 포«‘한 ∫“법 차별 행위에 대한 모든 항의/신고 - 샌디 정 SMC Human Resources Office, 310-434-4415 hrcomplaints@smc.edu (SMC 행정관 2층에 위치, 2714 Pico Blvd), 또는
• 장애 차별에 대한 모든 항의/불만 신고 – 스티브 헌트 (Eric Oifer), ADA/504 Compliance Officer, 310-434-4689 또는 oifer_eric@smc.edu (SMC 도서관 2층 265호에 사무실 위치)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students certain rights with respect to their education records. For a full explanation of FERPA and its implications for college students, please see the SMC catalog (available online at smc.edu/catalog) or contact the Admissions Office. What appears below is ONLY a brief summary.

A student’s FERPA rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. California law requires that records be provided within 15 working days.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
3. The right to provide written consent before the College discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent, such as for ‘directory’ information.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

   Family Policy Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   400 Maryland Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20202-5901

• ALL fees for winter session courses you enroll in must be paid no later than the fee payment deadline of 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December
  14, 2022. Failure to pay your fees by this date will result in your classes being dropped. Fee postponement is not available. Please see the Financial Aid Office to discuss options you might have.
• Starting Thursday, December 15, 2022, you must pay for any new class you add before midnight of the day you add the class, or you will be dropped for nonpayment.
• Enrollment fees will NOT be refunded if a course is dropped after the refund deadline for the course.
• If you do not drop a course by the refund deadline, you will be responsible for paying the fees — even if you did not go to class.
• See smc.edu/fees for the latest details.

This is a state-mandated student enrollment fee of $46 per unit, and is subject to change without notice.

This is an optional fee of $34.50 that includes the fee of $22.50, which funds activities such as the Live Safe app, technology initiatives and programs, and transportation initiatives, including the Big Blue Bus “Any Line, Any Time” initiative; the Associated Students Resource fee of $10, which funds services and activities for the entire Santa Monica College student body; and the Student Representation fee of $2, which helps fund student activities and representatives who may present ideas to local and state government bodies.

The Student Benefits fee, Associated Students Resource fee, and Student Representation fee are optional. You may opt out of paying the Student Benefits fee and Associated Students Resource fee by sending email to cashier@smc.edu or visiting the Cashier’s Office in the Student Services Center on the main SMC campus prior to the earliest Refund Deadline for a class you are enrolled in during the term. Be sure to include your full name and student ID number. You may opt out of paying the Student Representation fee through Corsair Connect (click on the “Enrollment” tab, select the relevant term/semester, then “Fee Assessment”).

This is a mandatory fee of $20 that provides a variety of health services. You are exempt from paying the Health Services fee if you:

• Enroll exclusively in noncredit or not-for-credit courses, or
• Declare in a personally signed statement that you depend exclusively on prayer for healing in accordance with the teachings of a bona fide religious sect (documentation of such an affiliation is required). You may submit this declaration and documentation online to Admissions and Records through a Special Consideration Petition available at smc.edu/forms.

The mandatory tuition fee for students classified as nonresidents (including students who are citizens of a foreign country and hold only temporary resident status in the United States) is $340  per semester unit (plus $46 enrollment fee, for a total of $386 per semester unit), or $316 per semester unit (plus $46 enrollment fee, for a total of $362 per semester unit) for students who qualify for an Assembly Bill 947 exemption. See the residency requirements at smc.edu/residency or contact the residence clerk in the Admissions Office for AB 947 exemption details. Please see the Fees webpage at smc.edu/fees for details. Please note: All nonresident tuition fees are subject to change without notice.

The mandatory upper-division coursework fee for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Interaction Design is $84 per graded unit. This fee is IN ADDITION TO the $46 per unit enrollment fee, for a total of $130 per graded unit for students classified as residents. Students classified as nonresidents must pay the mandatory upper-division coursework fee of $84 per graded unit IN ADDITION TO the $46 enrollment fee AND the $340 tuition fee, for a total of $470 per graded unit. Students who qualify for an Assembly Bill 947 exemption must pay the mandatory upper-division coursework fee of $84 per graded unit IN ADDITION TO the $46 enrollment fee AND the $316 tuition fee, for a total of $446 per graded unit.

This fee is required ONLY if you wish to use the on-campus parking facilities at SMC’s main campus, SMC Performing Arts Center, or the Center for Media and Design. Parking is FREE at other SMC satellite campuses, BUT requires a virtual parking permit (see smc.edu/transportation for details). Regular virtual parking permits — which can be purchased online through Corsair Connect — are $93.50 for the fall or spring semester and $49.50 for the winter or summer session. The permit prices include the City of Santa Monica 10% parking facilities tax. Funds from this the virtual parking permit are used to maintain and improve SMC’s parking facilities.

Students who qualify for a California College Promise Grant (CCPG) because they or their family currently receive benefits under Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF/CalWORKs), or SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income), or General Assistance/General Relief are eligible to purchase an on-campus virtual parking permit at a reduced rate.

Returned checks and rejected credit card payments are subject to a fee of up to $25 and are taken care of at the Auxiliary Services Office, located at 1738 Pearl St. An administrative hold will be placed on your records until the matter is resolved. If you leave SMC owing a balance and do not pay it, you will be responsible for all collection costs and/or attorney’s fees. This debt may also be reported to all three major credit bureaus.

No refunds of enrollment fees are available to you if you withdraw from winter session classes after the published refund deadline for enrolled classes. Refund deadlines for enrolled classes can be found in your Corsair Connect account next to your enrolled classes. If you withdraw prior to the deadline date, you will receive a 100% refund of enrollment fees (minus a processing charge of $10). See smc.edu/fees for more information on withdrawal refund deadlines.

If you withdraw from winter session classes at Santa Monica College before the published refund deadlines for the classes in which you are enrolled, you will receive a 100% tuition refund, minus any relevant processing fees.

If you withdraw from winter session classes at Santa Monica College before your term’s published refund deadline, you will receive a 100% refund for the Student Benefits fee, the Student Representation fee, the A.S. Resource fee, and the Health Services fee. 

The completion and transfer rates presented here are derived from the most current data available at the time this Schedule of Classes went to press.

Completion rates are calculated by tracking a cohort (group) of first-time students seeking a certificate, degree, or transfer. For the cohort of first-time freshmen entering SMC in fall 2015, 31.91% earned a certificate or degree, transferred to a four-year institution, and/or became transfer-prepared (earned 60 or more transferable units with a GPA of 2.0 or higher) within three years of beginning coursework at SMC.

Transfer rates are calculated by tracking a cohort (group) of first-time students intending to transfer to a four-year institution. For the cohort of first-time freshmen entering SMC in fall 2015, 17.15% transferred to a four-year institution within three years of beginning coursework at SMC.

Santa Monica College has an Honor Code, Code of Academic Conduct, and Rules for Student Conduct, and may discipline students in accordance with code provisions.

Check the annual Santa Monica College Catalog for additional information.

Students with complaints, grievances, and personal concerns about Santa Monica College or any of its policies are encouraged to discuss them with the College Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson provides support and encouragement to students, and attempts to present options and solutions. Complaints are handled confidentially on a case-by-case basis.

Students with complaints about a grade should discuss this with the Ombudsperson in time to meet the deadline to file a formal appeal. The deadlines are:

• October 15 for spring semester grades,
• November 15 for summer session grades,
• April 15 for fall semester grades, and
• May 15 for winter session grades.

For more information, contact the Ombudsperson, or visit the Ombudsperson’s webpage.

The following is a summary of Santa Monica College’s residency rules and their exceptions. For more detailed information, please go to smc.edu/admissions and click on the “Residency” link in the Popular Links section of the webpage, or contact the residence clerk in the Admissions and Records Office.

• Each person applying for admission to, or enrolled in, a California Community College is classified for tuition purposes as either a “resident” or a “nonresident” of the State of California.
• A “resident” is defined as a citizen of the United States or a person who holds a status that allows him or her to establish residency in the United States for a minimum of one year and one day, who has proof of physical presence in the State of California for one year and one day PRIOR TO the start of the semester for which California residency is being claimed, and who presents evidence of intention to make California his or her permanent home. Dates on any documentary evidence should correspond to dates of physical presence in California.
• A “nonresident” is a person who does not meet the residency requirements of the State of California or who is a citizen of a foreign country and holds only temporary status in the U.S.
• A student classified as a resident will be admitted to the College and exempt from paying nonresident tuition. Enrollment fees ($46 per unit; subject to change) still apply.
• A student classified as a nonresident is required to pay a tuition fee of $331 or $307 (with AB 947 exemption) per semester unit in addition to enrollment fees of $46 per unit (subject to change).
• A nonresident continuing student between the ages of 19 and 23 (inclusive) requesting reclassification to resident status must submit a petition for change of residency status (Reclassification Form, obtained from the residence clerk in the Admissions Office), show proof of financial independence, provide documents that show the student was not claimed as a dependent for income tax purposes by parents in the past year, and present evidence of intent to establish California as his or her place of residence. Please see the Residency website for helpful tips on establishing California residency.

A student who is 19 years of age or older and who has lived in California continuously for the last two years shall be presumed to have the intent to make California his or her home.

A student under 19 years of age shall be presumed to have the intent to make California his or her home if both the student and his or her parent(s) have lived in California continuously for the last two years.

A student who is 19 years of age or older applying for admission who has less than two years, but more than one year, of residence in California should be prepared to show proof of residence. Examples of evidence that aid the College admissions officer in identifying intent include, but are not limited to, the following documents:

• California Form 540 and Federal Form 1040 tax returns evidencing California residency/address (with acceptable dates);
• Paycheck stub OR letter of employment verification on company letterhead (signed by a manager of the personnel department);
• California bank account (checking or savings account statements showing charges in the State of California throughout the period while applying for residency determination);
• Marriage license or divorce decree issued in California (with acceptable dates);
• License or certificate issued by the State (with acceptable issue and expiration dates);
• California utility bill (one ONLY of the following: DWP, gas, telephone, cable, or other utility);
• California State aid or social welfare;
• Vehicle registration and/or vehicle insurance (California company);
• California-based health insurance OR Medi-Cal ID (with relevant dates noted);
• Military discharge papers (DD214) OR Leave and Earnings statement indicating California as State of Record;
• California property taxes (in student’s name ONLY);
• Union membership in a California local; and
• California public library membership (verified by letter or printout with letterhead or branch stamp).

Documents are subject to verification, and the Admissions and Records Office reserves the right to ask for more documents when making a residency determination. Dates on documents must correspond with physical presence of one year and one day. Bring documentation to the Admissions Office. Restrictions apply. Please visit smc.edu/residency for further details.

Unmarried minors (those younger than 18 years of age) are, by law, incapable of establishing their own residences, notwithstanding their physical presence within California. Admissions will use the following guidelines for determining a minor’s residence:

• A minor’s residence is the residence of the parent or legal guardian with whom the minor is living;
• If the minor is not living with a parent or legal guardian, then the residence of the parent or legal guardian with whom the minor last lived will be the residence of the minor.

When the residence of a minor student is derived from the parent or legal guardian, the durational requirement (one year in California) must be met by the parent or guardian, but is not required of the student.

A minor whose parents are not living and who does not have a legal guardian may establish his or her own residence.

According to the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACA H.R. 3230), a “covered individual” is defined as:

1. A veteran who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge from a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more.
2. An individual who is entitled to rehabilitation under 38 U.S.C. 3102(a).
3. A spouse or child entitled to transferred education benefits who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within 3 years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more.
4. A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty) who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the Service member’s death in the line of duty following a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
5. After expiration of the 3-year period following discharge or death as described in 38 U.S.C. 3679(c), a student who initially qualifies under the applicable requirements above will maintain “covered individual” status as long as he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the institution, even if the student enrolls in multiple programs, and shall continue to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition and other fees.

Any student, other than one with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) nonimmigrant visa status (see exception below for students who have been granted T or U visa status), who meets all of the following requirements, shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition (this exemption is often referred to “AB 540” after the Assembly Bill which enacted the exemption)

• A student is exempt from paying nonresident tuition if the student meets all of the following four requirements:
  1. The student must have:
     • attended a combination of California high school, adult school, and California Community College for the equivalent of three years or more, or
     • attained credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school course work and attended a combination of elementary, middle and/or high schools in California for a total of three or more years, an
  2. The student must have:
     • graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (for example, passing the GED or California High School Proficiency exam), or
     • completed an Associate degree from a California Community College, or
     • completed the minimum requirements at a California Community College for transfer to the California State University or the University of California, and
  3. The student must register as an entering student at, or current enrollment at, an accredited institution of higher education in California, and
  4. The student must file an affidavit with the college stating that if the student is a non-citizen without current or valid immigration status, the student has filed an application to legalize immigration status, or will file an application as soon as the student is eligible to do so.
• Students who are nonimmigrants who are victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes who have been granted T or U visa status, under Title 8 of the United States Code, sections 1101(a)(15)(T) or (U) are eligible for this exemption.
• Students who are nonimmigrants, other than those with T or U visa status as noted above, [for example, those who hold F (student) visas, B (visitor) visas, etc.] are not eligible for this exemption.
• A year’s equivalence at a California Community College is a minimum of 24 semester units of credit or 36 quarter units of credit. For noncredit courses, a year’s attendance is a minimum of 420 hours, 210 hours for a semester, and 140 hours a quarter.
• The accumulation of credit and/or noncredit in any academic year shall be calculated in reference to a year’s equivalence. Partial completion in an academic year is allowed. (Example: 12 units of credit courses in an academic year is equal to a semester for purposes of determining eligibility.)
• Attendance in credit courses at a California Community College toward the attendance requirements shall not exceed two years of full-time attendance.
• The student must file an exemption request including a signed affidavit with the college that indicates the student has met all applicable conditions described above. Student information obtained in this process is strictly confidential unless disclosure is required under law.
• Students eligible for this exemption who are transferring to another California public college or university must submit a new request (and documentation if required) to each college under consideration.
• Nonresident students meeting the criteria will be exempted from the payment of nonresident tuition, but they will not be classified as California residents. They continue to be “nonresidents.”
• he California Dream Act extends Cal Grant A and B Entitlement awards, Cal Grant C awards, the California Promise Grant, and institutional financial aid to students who meet these criteria as well as the applicable criteria for eligibility for specific types of financial aid.
• AB540 does not provide federal student financial aid eligibility for undocumented students. These students remain ineligible for federal financial aid.