Regain Eligibility & Special Consideration

Santa Monica College
Admissions and Aid
SMC Promise
Regain Eligibility/Special Consideration

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 semesters specific requirement deadline, to Regain Eligibility.

*There is no need to make up units in the subsequent short- term Summer or Winter semesters to Regain Eligibility, just enroll in your Unit Requirement for the future semester prior to the next semester's requirement deadline!

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.

The following are some examples, but are not limited to such examples, to give you a better understanding of how to Regain Eligibility for this upcoming Fall 2026 semester:

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Example 1 - Completed Financial Aid and Unit Requirement / DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction at deadline, but did complete classes with passing grades.

Student's Financial Aid Requirement is completed and is enrolled in their Unit Requirement / DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction in the Spring 2026 semester through the requirement deadline of April 19, 2026. At the end of the semester the student does not complete their Unit Requirement/ DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction with passing grades. The student will fall out of SMC Promise.

The student then enrolls in their Unit Requirement/ DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction in the future Fall 2026 semester, prior to November 1, 2026. The student will automatically Regain Eligibility for the Fall 2026 semester.

Example 2 - Did NOT complete the Unit Requirement/ DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction at deadline. Needs to PAY fees/ no refund.

Student's Financial Aid Requirement is completed but is not enrolled in their Unit Requirement/ DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction for the Spring 2026 semester at the requirement deadline of April 19, 2026. The student will fall out of SMC Promise, will need to pay for their Spring 2026 semester fees, and or if they paid out of pocket will not qualify for a refund.

The student then enrolls in their Unit Requirement/ DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction for the future Fall 2026 semester, prior to November 1, 2026. The student will automatically Regain Eligibility for the Fall 2026 semester.

Example 3 - Did NOT complete the Financial Aid Requirement at deadline. Needs to PAY fees/ no refund.

Student's Financial Aid Requirement is Incomplete for the Spring 2026 semester at the requirement deadline of April 19, 2026. The student will fall out of SMC Promise, will need to pay for their Spring 2026 semester fees, and or if they paid out of pocket will not qualify for a refund.

The student then enrolls in their Unit Requirement/ DSPS RCL- Unit Reduction for the future Fall 2026 semester, prior to November 1, 2026. The student will automatically Regain Eligibility for the Fall 2026 semester.

Student's Financial Aid Requirement must be also received and completed prior to October 26, 2026 deadline for the Fall 2026 semester.

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

If you have any questions about Regain Eligibility please send an email with your complete name and SMC ID number to SMCPromise@smc.edu

SMC Promise Special Consideration

If you do not meet the basic SMC Promise basic eligibility criteria, cannot Regain Eligibility, or if you have an extenuating circumstance, please email SMCPromise@smc.edu to request a SMC Promise Special Consideration. It is not guaranteed that you will gain eligibility, but your file will be reviewed.