Discover Financial Aid Navigation Guide
A Cost of Attendance budget is a list of the fees and college costs for an academic year (Fall/Spring semesters). The Cost of Attendance budget is another component used to determine the amount of financial aid assistance, and it includes:
- Tuition and fees
- Books and supplies expenses
- Housing costs associated with room and board
- Transportation expenses
- Personal expenses including childcare costs
There are different types of financial aid including (a) grants, (b) work-study, (c) loans, (d) and scholarships which are based upon eligibility.
Federal Financial Aid:
State Financial Aid:
Institutional Financial Aid (SMC):
Other Sources of Aid:
Search Databases for other sources of private and community based scholarships
Complete and submit a Financial Aid Application online. (FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA)).
The FAFSA is the application for federal financial aid. An FSAID is required to login and sign the FAFSA electronically.
The CADAA was created specifically for Undocumented Students/ Dreamers in California.
SMC Federal School Codes: FAFSA 001286; CADAA 00128600
Complete and submit required forms and documents via SMC's Financial Aid Portal: Corsair E-Docs .
After requested forms and documents are submitted, the financial aid review can take about 4-6 weeks. During this timeframe, review the Financial Aid Orientation to learn about payment, academic requirements, financial aid award letter and census date.
SAP or Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is made up of three standards students should meet each semester to continue to continue to receive financial aid.
Maintain an overall GPA of 2.0.
Maintain 67% Course Completion Rate: Students must complete at least 67% of all units attempted (at SMC and prior colleges).
For example, if a student has attempted 60 units of transfer coursework, the student must successfully complete 40 units or more to meet 67% course completion standard. Student course completion rates are reviewed at the end of each term of attendance (Fall, Spring, Summer). Remember that some grades (e.g., withdrawls or repeated courses) may not affect GPA but still impact the quantitative course completion rate.
Completed education goal within the Unit Maximum Time Frame: Students must complete their education goal by the 150% unit limit of your degree program. For example, Associate Degrees & 4 year transfer coursework requires 60 units (100%) and the Unit Maximum Time Frame is 90 units (150%).
Notes: Pre-college level Math & English courses are not counted towards the unit limit (up to 30 units of basic skills).
Students who are placed on SAP Disqualification will need to complete a Financial Aid Appeal and meet with an academic counselor to complete an educational plan.
