Planning to enroll in Summer 2025 classes? Here's what you need to know about your financial aid eligibility:
Federal Aid: To be considered for federal (such as Pell Grant), students must have a completed 2024–2025 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) on file. Be sure your application is submitted by June 30, 2025.
California College Promise Grant (CCPG): If you're eligible for the CCPG (which waives the cost of enrollment), your eligibility will be determined using your 2025–2026 FAFSA or CADAA. This is because the CCPG for summer is linked to the upcoming academic year.
Annual Pell Award
The Annual Pell Award is the Scheduled Pell Award adjusted for enrollment intensity.
The FAFSA
Simplification Act (the Act) changes the way a Scheduled Pell Grant must be reduced
for students
enrolled less than full-time. Per the Act, the Pell Grant must be prorated according
to the student’s
enrollment intensity rounded to the nearest whole percent.
Enrollment Intensity
Enrollment intensity is the percentage of full-time enrollment at which a student
is enrolled, rounded to
the nearest whole percent. For example, if full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours
and the student is
enrolled in 7 hours, the enrollment intensity would be 7 ÷ 12 × 100% = 58%.
Programs Offered in Standard Terms
For federal student aid purposes, full-time enrollment for programs offered in stand
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step toward applying and getting federal aid for college, career school, or graduate school. Santa Monica College will use your FAFSA data to determine your eligibility for state and school aid. All students are encouraged to complete and submit a FAFSA by March 2nd of each year.
How to Apply for FAFSA
- Access the FAFSA to submit your FAFSA application early!
- Create an FSA ID. This is your federal student number to apply for financial aid.
DREAM ACT (For AB 540/SB 68 Eligible Students)
How to Apply for CA DREAM Act
-
Submit a DREAM Act Application online (SMC School Code: 00128600). Priority Deadline for Cal Grant program is April 3.
-
Submit an AB 540 Affidavit to Admissions and Records Office with an official High School Transcript, GED certificate or the equivalent.
4. Meet with a college counselor to develop an education plan to help you achieve your goals.
CCPG:
Beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, to apply for the CCPG, please complete the FAFSA if you are a U. S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. If you do not meet the citizenship qualification but meet the AB540 residency standards, please complete the California Dream Act Application to determine your eligibility.
STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A BACHELOR'S PROGRAM MUST APPLY FOR THE CCPG FEE WAIVER THROUGH THE FAFSA OR CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT APPLICATION.
School Codes
- FAFSA: 001286
- CA Dream Act: 00128600
Log in to your SMC Corsair Connect financial aid portal.
All communication from the Santa Monica College Financial Aid Office will be sent to you via email or posted on your financial aid portal. For example, your estimated award letter will include information about your eligibility for federal and state financial aid, the type of award (California College Promise Grant, Cal Grant, Pell, SEOG, Work Study, etc.) and dollar amounts awarded to you.
*An award is based on the number of units enrolled in each semester and subject to change based on academic standing. See the orientation page for the breakdown of enrollment.
Note: Students can only receive federal financial aid (grants and loans) from one college at a time. If you plans to attend two colleges concurrently, you must decide which college you will receive your financial aid assistance from.
Submitting Documents
You can submit most documents through the new paperless system called Corsair eDocs!
Fall 2024
- August 26, 2024First Day of the Fall Semester
- August 27, 20241st Pell Disbursement**
- August 29, 2024Loan Disbursement**
- October 28, 2024
Scholarship Application Workshop at 10 a.m. via zoom - October 29, 2024Fall Census Date
- October 30, 2024SEOG Disbursement**
- November 5, 2024Register for the In-Person Scholarship Application workshop 2 - 3 p.m. at SEC Lab.
- November 21, 2024
Scholarship Application Workshop at 10 a.m. via zoom - December 4, 2024Register for the In-Person Scholarship Application workshop 2 - 3 p.m. at SEC Lab.
- December 13, 2024Last Day to submit Fall Appeal
- December 20, 2024Scholarship Application Workshop at 10 a.m. via zoom
** Full disbursement process may take 1-2 weeks from date listed above. Please check Financial Aid Portal on Corsair Connect for a more accurate date.
Winter 2025
- January 6, 2025First Day of Winter Semester
- January 22, 2025Spring Appeal Form Available on eDocs
Spring 2025
- February 18, 2025First Day of Spring Semester
- February 18, 20251st Pell and Loan Disbursement**
- April 2, 2025FAFSA/ CADAA Priority Deadline
- April 29, 2025Spring Census Date
** Full disbursement process may take 1-2 weeks from date listed above. Please check Financial Aid Portal on Corsair Connect for a more accurate date.
This online phone system allows you to place yourself in a queue to receive a callback from a Financial Aid staff member.
HOW IT WORKS:
1. Add yourself to the "line" by clicking on the link below. You will be asked for
your name, ID number, and phone number. Please make sure to fill out all information
correctly.
2. We will send you texts to keep you updated of your place in line.
3. Once we are ready for you, we will call you at the number provided.
***The QLess line will close automatically if the wait time exceeds 2-3 hours or the number of available representatives, but you can periodically try again to access the QLess line. Depending on the current student wait time, we may not be able to reopen for the day.
QLess : Remote drop-in hours
- Mondays: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Fridays: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
