Direct Connect

Financial Aid

Pay Smart for College

Explore Financial Aid

Financial Aid is any form of funding that helps you pay for college expenses. Financial Aid can be offered in the forms of grants, loans, work-study programs and scholarships. The goal of financial aid is to support students' academic success by providing assistance to help cover educational expenses. The amount of financial assistance a student may qualify for depends on state and federal eligibility guidelines and academic standards. 

Discover Financial Aid Navigation Guide

Learn about resources and access to Financial Aid services and resources.

 

Connect with Financial Aid Student Support

Financial Aid offers a variety of ways to connect to student services and support.

Financial Aid Q-Less

Join the Financial Aid Q-Less line to receive a callback from a Financial Aid staff member regarding your financial aid status questions.

QLess Hours

  • Mondays: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Fridays: 9 a.m. - 12p.m.

Financial Aid Q-Less  

Federal Student Aid

Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education is considered Federal Financial Aid. To learn more about Pell Grant, SEOG, Federal Work Study and Direct Student Loans, visit: https://studentaid.gov/ . You can use your FSAID to log in and review your StudentAid Dashboard for an overview of your Pell Grant and/or Loan usage.

Federal Student Aid (FSA)

California Student Aid Commission

CSAC is the organization in California that manages the California Dream Act Application and all state financial aid programs including Cal-Grant, Chafee Grant (for Foster Youth) and Middle Class Scholarship. Students who are considered California Residents for Tuition purposes (including Undocumented/ Dreamers/ AB540 students) are highly encouraged to create a WebGrants Account to review Cal Grant eligibility and usage for transfer.

California Student Aid Commission  

Dreamers, AB-540 and CA Dream Act Application

The California Dream Act of 2011 allow undocumented who meet Assembly Bill (AB) 540 requirements to receive in-state financial aid and and institutional scholarships. To be considered for in-state grants, undocumented AB-540 students must complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) every year (prioritiy deadline is March 2nd). Learn more about AB-540 requirements, CADAA and financial aid resources for Dreamers/undocumented/DACA-mented studens using the link below.

SMC Application Steps for Undocumented AB540 Students

CA Dream Act and AB540 Requirements

 

SMC Scholarship Program

SMC Foundation in partnership with the Financial Aid Office offer the SMC Scholarship application every year! To learn more about SMC scholarships and off-campus scholarship options, students may log in to their SMC Scholarship Universe account.

SMC Scholarship Program  

Thrive with Financial Aid Navigation Tools

Utilize these tools to successfully navigate Financial Aid Office services and resources.