You only need to "Opt-In" to join SMC Promise once your first eligible semester. You
will still need to meet and complete the Financial Aid and Unit Enrollment requirements
by each semester's perspective deadline to receive benefits from the SMC Promise.
Fall 2025: September 14
Summer 2025: June 29
Spring 2025: March 02
Winter 2025: January 19
Fall 2024: September 08
Summer 2024: June 30
SMC Promise Eligibility
A student's SMC Promise Eligibility starts the first Fall semester in which they would
qualify for benefits whether they attend or not. Students must meet and complete the
SMC Promise requirements consecutive Fall and Spring semesters to continue in the
SMC Promise.
If you are eligible, it is always best practice to meet the SMC Promise requirement
prior to the payment deadline of each semester that you anticipate attending, otherwise you will owe fees and or
risk being dropped from your classes. If you pay out of pocket and then meet the requirements
by the requirement deadline for each semester you anticipate attending, you will potentially qualify for a refund.
NOTE: The Summer/ Winter short-term semesters are OPTIONAL to attend and are only covered by the SMC Promise benefits if you are meeting ALL the requirements.
1st Year Eligibility
A list of the requirements for all students interested in joining SMC Promise for
the first time.
You are a California resident or an AB 540 student.
You graduated from any public or private California high school in 2024/ 2025 and
are directly attending SMC as a first-year college student.
Starting in Spring 2025?
Opt-In by March 2, 2025.
You must also maintain and complete your SMC Promise Requirements by April 27, 2025:
SMC Financial Aid Office must receive your 2024-2025 FAFSA or DREAM application by April 27, 2025.
Must enroll in 12 units/ DSPS Unit Reduction by April 27, 2025 and complete with passing grades.
Starting in the Fall 2025?
Opt-in by September 14, 2025.
You must also maintain and complete your SMC Promise Requirements by October 26, 2025:
SMC Financial Aid Office must receive your 2025-2026 FAFSA or DREAM application by October 26, 2025.
Must enroll in 12 units/ DSPS Unit Reduction by October 26, 2025 and complete with passing grades.
Visit our Promise Video Library for a tutorial on how to join the Promise program through Corsair Connect.
Eligible students with disabilities may be approved for fewer than 12 units as a reasonable
accommodation, DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction, but must have it on file prior to the beginning
of each semester. Contact the Center for Students with Disabilities at DSPS@smc.edu for more information.
2nd Year Eligibility
A list of the requirements to continue with SMC Promise for a second year.
To be eligible during your second year, you must complete 12 units/ DSPS unit reduction
with passing grades in Fall AND Spring semesters in your first year, and reapply for FAFSA or DREAM Act (SMC- 001286/ 00128600 listed on your application) and must
be received by SMC Financial Aid Office before the start of the first term of your
second year.
Attending in Fall 2025?
SMC Financial Aid Office must receive your 2025-2026 FAFSA or DREAM application by October 26, 2025.
Must enrolled in 12 units/ DSPS Unit Reduction by October 26, 2025 and complete with passing grades.
Eligible students with disabilities may be approved for fewer than 12 units as a reasonable
accommodation, DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction, but must have it on file prior to the beginning
of each semester. Contact the Center for Students with Disabilities at DSPS@smc.edu for more information.
Summer & Winter Requirements
Additional information about taking classes during Summer & Winter sessions while
a part of SMC Promise.
Summer and Winter sessions are OPTIONAL to attend. If you decide to attend, you will only receive the benefits of the SMCP
if you meet and complete the SMCP requirements, which includes enrolling in 12 units/
DSPS Unit Reduction and having your FAFSA or DREAM application on file with the SMC
Financial Aid Office.
If you do enroll, and are not meeting the SMCP requirements, you will need to pay out of pocket for all your fees-
Enrollment/ Student. If you have a CCPG- Fee Waiver, your Enrollment Fees- classes
will be paid for, but you will still need to pay for your Student Fees.
Regain Eligibility
Eligible SMC Promise students who meet their requirements at the perspective SMC Promise
deadline for Fall/ Spring and do not complete their Unit Requirements with passing
grades, A, B, C, D or Pass, become eligible to make up the deficient units in the
subsequent short-term Summer/ Winter semester to Regain Eligibility.
Funding eligibility for the short-term semesters, Summer/ Winter, remains unchanged.
Most students making up units will need to pay out of pocket for their fees. Students with a CCPG- Fee Waiver via the financial aid process will only need to pay
for their Student Fees out of pocket.
The following are some examples, but are not limited to such examples, to give you a better understanding
of how to Regain Eligibility:
Student is enrolled in their unit requirement of 12 units for the Spring 2025 semester, meets the SMC Promise requirement deadline of April27th, 2025 and at the end of the semester only completes 9 units with passing grades. The student can make up the deficient 3 units in the subsequent short-term semester, which is Summer 2025. If the student
completes their Summer class with a passing grade and when it is posted on their transcript,
the student will Regain Eligibility for the future Fall 2025 semester.
Student has a DSPS Unit Reduction and is enrolled in their unit requirement of 6 units for the Spring 2025 semester, meets the SMC Promise requirement deadline of
April 27th, 2025 and at the end of the semester only completes 3 units with passing grades. The student can make up the deficient 3 units in the subsequent short-term semester, which is Summer 2025. If the student
completes their Summer class with a passing grade and when it is posted on their transcript,
the student will Regain Eligibility for the future Fall 2025 semester.
Student is enrolled in their unit requirement of 12 units for the Spring 2025 semester, meets the SMC Promise requirement deadline of
April27th, 2025and is not going to pass a 3 unit class. The student speaks to their prospective Academic Counselor and decides
to drop that 3 unit class after the requirement deadline. Student completes 9 units with passing grades at the end of the Spring semester. The student can make
up the deficient 3 units in the subsequent short-term semester, which is Summer 2025. If the student
completes their Summer class with a passing grade and when it is posted on their transcript,
the student will Regain Eligibility for the future Fall 2025 semester.
If you have any questions about Regain Eligibility please send an email with your complete name and SMC ID number to the Welcomecenter@smc.edu or call 310-434-8101.
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. Or you can call for further information:
310-434-8101.
