SMC Promise

Students who believe they qualify for SMC Promise should make sure they have read all eligibility requirements. If you are having trouble opting-in to the program, contact the Welcome Center WelcomeCenter@smc.edu so we can look at your profile to determine eligibility.

SMC Promise students who submitted a FAFSA must ALSO meet all the SMCP requirements and be eligible for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) fee waiver in order to be eligible for the SMCP Book Voucher. If a student can not use the book voucher at the SMC Bookstore or on the SMC Bookstore website (and the deadline hasn't passed), but the student's financial aid portal in Corsair Connect shows that they are receiving the CCPG fee waiver for 2024 - 2025, please contact us: Welcomecenter@smc.edu   

Note: If you recently Opted In and met the requirements, it takes 24 hours from the day you meet all the SMCP requirements for the system to update and allow you to use your Book Voucher. In addition, ONLY the Financial Aid office can see student financial aid records and make changes to profiles. Welcome Center staff can only view general information that students already have access to.

Students who have questions about completing their FAFSA or need additional information about what documents they may need to submit (after viewing their financial aid portal in Corsair Connect) can contact the Financial Aid office.

Note: ONLY the Financial Aid office can see student financial aid records and make changes to profiles. Welcome Center staff can only view general information that students already have access to.

SMC Promise requires students to complete 12+ units/ DSPS unit reduction during the Fall and Spring semesters, counselors are available to help students remain at full-time status. SMC Promise students can work with an academic counselor to make sure they are taking the correct classes for their educational goal and their correct skill level, to ensure successful completion.

Students can connect with a counselor by visiting the General Counseling webpage.

regain ELIGIBILITY

• SMC Promise students who do not complete 12 units/ DSPS unit reduction in Fall or Spring semester (or received a F / NP/ W/ EW), may become eligible for the future semesters by making up the units in the subsequent short term semester.
  • Only students that meet the SMC Promise Requirements at the Spring 2025 SMCP requirement deadline of April 27th, 2025, will qualify to Regain Eligibility. Please see Regain Eligibility examples on the following link: SMC Promise Eligibility - Santa Monica College: 
• Class fees will be due if a student does not qualify for a CCPG- Fee Waiver.
• Student must have a minimum of 12 units/ DSPS unit reduction completed with grades of A, B, C, D or P (W, I, IP, SP NP grades do not count) between Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 to regain for Spring 2025. 
• Eligibility will be updated once final grades for the “make-up” class/units are posted to the student’s transcript.

• Funding eligibility for inter-session courses (i.e.,  Summer and Winter) is unchanged. Most students making up units will generally need to pay out-of-pocket, unless they are receiving the CCPG fee waiver. 

SMC Promise Special consideration

• If you do not qualify to Regain Eligibility or if you have an extenuating circumstance, please email the Welcomecenter@smc.edu(opens in new window) to request a SMC Promise Special Consideration. It is not guaranteed that you will gain eligibility, but your file will be reviewed.

To get your physical student ID card, follow these steps:

1. Verify/Update mailing address in Corsair Connect
2. Contact the Cashier's Office (cashier@smc.edu) from your SMC student email account and include all of the following required info:
   1. identifiable passport-style photo of yourself
   2. identifiable photo of your valid state ID or Passport
   3. your full name, that matches what was used on the SMC application
   4. your SMC ID number

Once the Cashier's Office has received, reviewed, and verified your email, your SMC ID card will be created and sent to the mailing address on file in Corsair Connect within a few business days. It is not the responsibility of SMC to verify mailing addresses, so please be sure to do this BEFORE submitting an email request for your ID card. 

For more information about SMC ID cards, please visit the Cashier's Office webpage.

For assistance with all other problems, please visit the SMC Promise FAQ page.

Spring 2025 fees for SMC Promise students who met all eligibility requirements on April 27th, 2025, will be covered until the end of the semester. Students WILL BE ABLE TO ENROLL in the future Summer / Fall 2025 semesters even though there is an outstanding balance. The short- term Summer/ Winter semesters are optional to attend. If you do attend, you must meet and complete the SMC Promise requirements to receive the benefits.

Students that drop below 12 units/ DSPS unit requirement after April 27th, 2025, may potentially qualify for the SMC Promise Regain Eligibility by making up units during the subsequent Summer 2025 semester. Please be sure to review the Regain Eligibility examples on the following link: SMC Promise Eligibility - Santa Monica College Or email the Welcomecenter@smc.edu to find out how to maintain or regain your SMC Promise.

Students who did not meet the SMC Promise requirements during the Spring 2025 may be ineligible for SMC Promise for future terms and will owe fees. If you do not qualify to Regain Eligibility or if you have an extenuating circumstance, please send an email to Welcomecenter@smc.edu to request a SMC Promise Special Consideration.

• As long as you are meeting and maintaining your SMCP requirements through April 27th, 2025, and complete your unit requirements with passing grades, you may potentially qualify for a refund AFTER the term has ended.
• If you have questions about your refund, please email the Welcomecenter@smc.edu 

Note: SMC distributes refunds through BankMobile Disbursements. Visit SMC and BankMobile Disbursements for more information about refund options.