You only need to "Opt-In" to join SMC Promise once your first eligible semester. Hence
forth, you will automatically be eligible so long as you are enrolled in the required
units- 12 units/ DSPS unit reduction, by the deadline dates below and meet ALL eligibility requirements for each term.
FALL 2024: September 08
SUMMER 2024: June 30
SPRING 2024: February 25
WINTER 2024: January 14
FALL 2023: September 10
SUMMER 2023: July 2
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.
NOTE: The Summer/ Winter short-term semesters are OPTIONAL 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 the summer of 2023
and are directly attending SMC as a first-year college student.
Starting in Spring 2024? Opt-in by February 25, 2024.
You complete and maintain your SMC Promise Requirements by April 20th, 2024. SMC Promise requirements include the following:
SMC Financial Aid Office must receive your 2023-2024 FAFSA or DREAM application by
April 20th, 2024.
You must enroll in 12 units/ DSPS unit reduction by April 20th, 2024 and complete with passing grades this Spring 2024 semester for your eligibility to
roll over to future Summer/ Fall 2024 semesters.
Starting in Fall 2024? Opt- In by September 08, 2024.
You complete and maintain your SMC Promise Requirements by Oct. 27th, 2024.
SMC Financial Aid Office must receive your 2024-2025 FAFSA or DREAM application by Oct. 27th, 2024.
You must enroll in 12 units/ DSPS unit reduction by Oct. 27th, 2024 and complete with passing grades this Fall 2024 semester for your eligibility to
roll over to the future Winter/ Spring 2025 semester.
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 Unit Reduction-RCL), 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 in your first year, and reapply for FAFSA or DREAM Act (SMC- 001286/ 00128600 listed on your application) and must
be filed with SMC before the start of the first term of your second year.
Attending in Spring 2024? Meet eligibility by April 20th, 2024.
Must be enrolled in 12 units/ DSPS unit reduction, maintain and complete units with passing grades.
SMC must receive your 2023-2024 FAFSA or DREAM by April 20th, 2024.
Attending in Fall 2024? Meet eligibility by Oct. 27th, 2024.
Must be enrolled in 12 units/ DSPS unit reduction, maintain and complete units with passing grades. FAFSA or DREAM application by Oct 27, 2024
SMC must receive your 2024-2025 FAFSA or DREAM application by Oct 27th, 2024.
Eligible students with disabilities may be approved for fewer than 12 units as a reasonable
accommodation (DSPS Unit Reduction- RCL), 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. However, if you would like your fees to be paid and if you qualify, and
potentially your book voucher to be accessible, then you must complete your SMCP requirements
which includes enrolling and completing 12 units/ DSPS unit reduction.
You can, of course, enroll in fewer units and just pay out-of-pocket or through other
aid, if you qualify.
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 2024 semester, meets the SMC Promise requirement deadline of
April 20th, 2024 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 2024. 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 2024 semester.
Student has a DSPS Unit Reduction and is enrolled in their unit requirement of 6 units for the Spring 2024 semester, meets the SMC Promise requirement deadline of
April 20th, 2024 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 2024. 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 2024 semester.
Student is enrolled in their unit requirement of 12 units for the Spring 2024 semester, meets the SMC Promise requirement deadline of
April 20th, 2024and 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 2024. 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 Spring 2024 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 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.