How to Apply for Scholarships

Current SMC Students

• Declare a major and have an educational goal. Click here for instructions on updating your major and goal in the Corsair Connect.
• Complete at least six (6) SMC units and have an overall 2.5 GPA by the scholarship deadline.
• Enroll in at least six (6) units for the current Fall term and at least six (6) units for the Spring term.
• Must be in good standing with the SMC Code of Conduct Administrative Regulation AR4410 and AR4411.
• Students who already have a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible.

High School Seniors (Incoming First-Year)

• Minimum of 2.5 GPA
• Incoming First-Year at SMC for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year
• Enrolling in a minimum of 6 units for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
• US citizens, permanent residents, or AB 540.

1. If you are a high school senior, the first step is to apply to SMC. Apply to SMC today.  Current SMC students who meet the minimum qualifications skip to step #3.

2. Confirm your SMC Corsair Connect account. After you submit your admission application, SMC will send your student ID# to the email address that you provided in your application (subject line shows “Congratulations, you are ADMITTED to SMC!”). Click on the “Verify My Email” button in that email. SMC will then send you your Corsair Connect username and temporary password (subject line shows “SMC Account Information”). You must log into the Corsair Connect to confirm your SMC account.

3. The majority of SMC Foundation scholarships require students to have financial need. It is highly recommended that prospective scholarship applicants submit a FAFSA or Dream Act Application prior to completing the scholarship application to establish financial need.

   • US citizens or US permanent residents will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

   • AB 540 students will complete the California DREAM Act Application

   Current SMC students: submit the FAFSA or Dream Act Application for the 2023-2024  academic years.

   Incoming First-Year: submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA or Dream Act Application for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. The 2024-2025 applications will be available at the start of 2024.

   International students: International students who meet the minimum qualifications may be considered for SMC Foundation scholarships that do not require students to show financial need.

1. Remember to review the “Minimum Qualifications” and only submit the scholarship application if you meet the minimum qualifications.

2. The SMC Scholarship Application is located within the Corsair Connect Financial Aid portal. Log into the Corsair Connect, then click on the “Financial Aid” link. In the Financial Aid section, switch the “Aid Year” from 2024-2025 to 2023-2024. After switching the aid year, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Scholarship Online Application” which will open the application.
   

3. Please note, the scholarship application is not saveable and will only record your answers after you submit the application. We recommend you work on the required personal statement and any written answers outside of the application through a separate word processing program such as MS Word. Then, once you are ready to work on the application, copy and paste your answers into the application.

4. You cannot return to the application after you submit it. If you would like to keep a record of what you submitted, we recommend you take screenshots of your answers before you submit the application.

5. After you submit your scholarship application, you will receive an email confirmation.

Scholarship review committees will review the applications during the months of February to April. Only completed applications will be reviewed.  Some SMC scholarships require an additional interview.  Students selected for an interview will be contacted during the review period.

Students selected for a scholarship award will be notified beginning mid-April, 2024. Students will be notified via their SMC email.

A list of scholarship winners will be sent directly to the SMC Foundation. All scholarships are granted to assist in tuition, fees, books, supplies, and any other educational expenses.

Dates	Deadlines
October 15, 2023	Scholarship Application for Current Students Opens
December 31, 2023	Last day to submit scholarship application for Current students
February 1, 2024	Scholarship Application for Incoming First-Year Opens
February to April 2024	Scholarship Committees review applications
Mid-April 2024	Current student scholarship winners are notified
May 17, 2024	Recognition event for donors and scholarship winners
June 14, 2024	Last day to submit scholarship application for Incoming First-Year

Please note: In the event you are awarded a scholarship, you will receive more information regarding the verification process from the Scholarship Office. The steps below are for informational purposes to demonstrate what would be required IF you receive a scholarship award.

In order to receive an award after being notified of selection, scholarship recipients are required to complete the verification process. The Foundation will release scholarship payments once the following steps are complete:

1. All Students: Complete an updated address verification form
2. All Students: Complete a thank you letter to your donor. Suggested guidelines and format.
3. Continuing Students: Include a copy of fall classes to show proof of enrollment in fall classes.
4. Transfer Students: Include a letter of acceptance or confirmed schedule of registered classes is required.
5. All Students: Submit materials to the: SMC Financial Aid & Scholarship Office, located on the main SMC Campus, Student Services Center 1^st floor or email to scholarships@smc.edu. It is necessary that all documents include the student's name as it appears on file at SMC and the student's SMC identification number.
6. All Students: Once the SMC Financial Aid & Scholarship Office has received a complete packet, the Foundation will issue a check directly to the student.
7. Important Note to All Students: If you do not claim your award(s) within six months by December 31st, it reverts back to the Foundation.

Some awards are more than the Internal Revenue Service minimum and should be reported as income on your annual tax return. The threshold for non-wage income reporting is approximately $600 or more, however, please contact the I.R.S. for current information.