SMC Promise

Payment Deadline: If you are eligible for SMC Promise, it is always the best practice to meet the requirements, Financial Aid and Units, prior to the payment deadline of Wednesday January 28, 2026 at 5:00pm for this Spring 2026 semester. Otherwise, you will need to pay for your fees or risk being dropped from your classes.

Refund: If you paid for your fees and then meet the SMC Promise requirements by the deadline of April 19, 2026, you will potentially qualify for a refund.

• If you have questions about your refund, please email the Welcomecenter@smc.edu 

Note: SMC distributes refunds through BankMobile Disbursements(opens in new window). Visit SMC and BankMobile Disbursements for more information about refund options. 

Any student that is meeting the basic SMC Promise eligibility criteria will first need to Opt In- Join to participate in the SMC Promise program.

The basic SMC Promise eligibility criteria: 

• California Resident/ AB540
• Graduated from a California highschool in 2025
• Attending as a First-Time college student

Please click on the following link to watch a quick video on how to Opt In: How To Join SMC Promise

In addition to Opting In, a student must still meet and complete both the SMC Promise requirements:

• 2025-2026 Financial Aid or DREAM
• Enroll in 12 units or DSPS Unit Reduction.

Eligible students must complete and maintain their SMC Promise requirements through the the deadline of April 19, 2026 for this Spring 2026 semester to have their fees paid and qualify for other benefits

The following are the 2 requirements that must be completed by April 19, 2026:

• 2025-2026 Financial Aid or DREAM
  • Must be received by the SMC Financial Aid Office.
• Enroll in 12 units or DSPS Unit Reduction.

Eligible students that complete and maintain their Financial Aid and Unit Requirements by the deadline of April 19, 2026 will receive the following benefits:

• Current Enrollment and Student Fees paid
• Receive a SMCP Fee Postponement for the current and future-subsequent semesters.
• Students who are also receiving a CCPG- Fee Waiver will qualify for a SMCP Book Voucher.
• Priority enrollment for the future- subsequent semesters.
• Potential refund.

Students who are eligible, Opted In, meeting their SMC Promise requirements and ALSO receive a CCPG- Fee Waiver, via the financial aid process, will also qualify for a Book Voucher to be ONLY used through SMC Bookstore-Slingshot.

Formula: SMCP + CCPG= SMCP Book Voucher

• Spring 2026 = $1,000
  • Start date: February 2, 2026
  • End date: May 3, 2026

• Access SMC Promise Book Voucher: SMC Bookstore- Slingshot

Eligible students who do not complete and maintain the requirements at the deadline of April 19, 2026 for this Spring 2026 semester will need to PAY for their fees. 

The good news is that any student who has Opted In and is still within their 2 years of eligibility, that has fallen out, only needs to enroll in their Unit Requirement for the future semester, prior to that semester’s specific requirement deadline, to Regain Eligibility.

Any student who has Opted In and is still within their 2 years of SMC Promise eligibility, and has fallen out, only needs to enroll in their Unit Requirement for the future semester, prior to that semester's specific requirement deadline, to Regain Eligibility.

There is no need to make up units in the subsequent short- term Winter semester to Regain Eligibility, just enroll in your Unit Requirement for the Spring 2026 semester prior to April 19, 2026!

Students will still need to complete both their Financial Aid and Unit Requirements by the semester's specific requirement deadline to receive the benefits of the SMC Promise.

Please login to your Corsair Connect- SMC Promise to check your eligibility status, requirements, dates, deadlines and pertinent information: Welcome to Corsair Connect