IMPORTANT: All fees are subject to change without notice. Fees published in this catalog were current at the time the catalog went to press. See smc.edu/fees for the latest details.
The California residency status of students determines whether they are required to pay tuition in addition to enrollment and other fees. See the Residency information above for details on residency.
ALL students — both resident and nonresident — enrolling in credit or graded classes must pay a State-mandated enrollment fee of $46 per unit (subject to change without notice).
New students who are California residents and recent California high school graduates enrolling at SMC as fulltime students are exempt from enrollment, Health Services, Student Benefits, Associated Students Resource, and Student Representation fees, if they apply for and are awarded an SMC Promise Grant. NOTE: The SMC Promise Grant does NOT cover nonresident tuition or upper-division coursework fees. Program requirements must be met.
Second-year students who qualified for the SMC Promise grant in their first year, are California residents, and completed 12 or more units in both fall and spring semesters of their first year (or meet alternate unit completion criteria) may be exempt from paying enrollment fees as long as they enroll in and complete courses on a full-time basis in the fall and spring of their second year. Program requirements must be met.
Other continuing SMC students who are California residents may be exempt from paying enrollment fees (but not the fees below) if they file an application and qualify for a California College Promise Grant (CCPG). For more information about these grants and their eligibility requirements, visit smc.edu/financialaid or contact the Financial Aid Office before starting enrollment procedures. NOTE: The CCPG does NOT cover the Health Services fee, Student Benefits fee, Associated Students Resource fee, nonresident tuition, or upper-division coursework fees.
Students classified as NONresidents (including students who are citizens of a foreign country and hold only temporary resident status in the United States) are REQUIRED to pay tuition in addition to enrollment and other fees. Tuition for nonresidents is $340 per semester unit (with $46 enrollment fee, total is $386 per semester unit). Tuition for students who qualify for an Assembly Bill 947 exemption is $316 per semester unit (with $46 enrollment fee, total is $362 per semester unit). The mandatory tuition is subject to change without notice. See the residency requirements at smc.edu/residency or contact the residence specialist in the Admissions Office for AB 947 exemption details.
For more information about fees for nonresident students, contact the Cashier’s Office, Admissions Office, or International Education Center. To find current deadline dates for paying all fees or receiving refunds, students should check their class schedule at Corsair Connect (smc.edu/cc), consult the College Policies section of the Schedule of Classes, or see the Fees webpage (smc.edu/fees).
All students — both resident and nonresident — in credit or graded classes pay a $60.50 fee during the fall and spring semesters ($56.50 during winter and summer sessions). The fee includes $26 ($22 in winter and summer) for Health Services, $22.50 for Student Benefits fee, $10 for Associated Students Resource fee, and $2 for the Student Representation fee. The Health Services fee is mandatory. The fees for the SMC Student Benefits, Associated Students Resource, and Student Representation are optional, but provide special benefits. Students who wish to to opt-out of paying the Student Benefits, Associated Students Resource, or Student Representation fee may opt-out directly through Corsair Connect at smc.edu/cc (Fees & Payments tab) before the earliest Refund Deadline associated with enrolled classes. For questions concerning opting out of fees, students should send email to cashier@smc.edu or visit the Cashier’s Office in the Student Services Center on the main SMC campus. Students who qualify for the SMC Promise Grant are exempt from paying Health Services, Student Benefits, Associated Students Resource, and Student Representation fees.
Health Services Fee
The mandatory fee of $26 during the fall and spring semesters ($22 during winter and summer sessions) provides a variety of health services to students. See the “Health Services Center” listing in the Special Programs and Support Services section of this catalog for details. Students who are exempt from paying the Health Services fee are:
- Students enrolled exclusively in noncredit or not-forcredit courses;
- Students who qualify for the SMC Promise Grant; and
- Students who declare through a personally signed statement that they depend exclusively on prayer for healing in accordance with the teachings of a bona fide religious sect (documentation of such an affiliation is required).
Students who are eligible for financial aid through the Financial Aid Office and who need assistance to pay this fee should contact the Financial Aid Office.
Student Benefits, Associated Students Resource, and Student Representation Fees
The Student Benefits $22.50 fee supports campus technology and transportation options (including the free rides on the Big Blue Bus and free rides on Metro lines and trains, as well as a selection of rideshare and bike programs), the Associated Students Resource $10 fee funds activities and services for SMC’s entire student body, and the Student Representation fee supports the efforts of student government representatives. All three fees are optional. Students who do not wish to pay one or more of these fees may opt out through Corsair Connect (smc.edu/cc) at the "Fees Asessment" page prior to the earliest Refund Deadline for a class they are enrolled in during the term.
The optional $22.50 Student Benefits fee supports access to technology (campus WiFi, computer lab, printing, Chromebook loan program), transportation options (Big Blue Bus free intercampus shuttle service, free Big Blue Bus rides, free rides on Metro lines, and selection of rideshare and bike programs), and the LiveSafe app.
The optional $10 Associated Students (A.S.) Resource fee supports SMC’s many student clubs and other activities that foster academic achievement, campus life and social events, campus sustainability programs, basic needs programs, and Cayton Center renovations.
The optional $2 Student Representation fee, mandated by Assembly Bill (AB) 1504, provides support for student government representatives who may be presenting positions and viewpoints to representatives, offices, and agencies of local, district, and state governments. The fee is divided, with $1 going to the Associated Students, and $1 for use by the Student Senate of the California Community Colleges (SSCCC).
Students who qualify for the SMC Promise Grant are exempt from paying the Student Benefits, A.S. Resource, and Student Representation fees.
SMC Student I.D. Card
The SMC student I.D. card is a photo I.D. that offers a convenient way to check out materials from the SMC Library and access the campus tutoring labs and learning resource centers, as well as purchase discount tickets for selected student events or activities.
Students may obtain one SMC student I.D. card FREE of charge through the Cashier’s Office. Instructions on how to obtain a student I.D. card are available at smc.edu/cashier.
If the SMC student I.D. card is lost, a replacement card may be purchased at the Cashier’s Office for $20.
Materials and Supplies Fees
Some classes require additional fees for materials and supplies. Students should consult the class listings in the Schedule of Classes to determine whether any such fees are required. Fees for materials and supplies are not refundable.
NOTE: Parking at ALL lots remains FREE — with a virtual permit — until December 31, 2023. Students should visit smc.edu/parking for the latest details.
SMC uses a parking system that requires signing up for a virtual parking permit. Virtual parking permits (free and paid) can be obtained online at smc.edu/parking.
All SMC parking areas — even the free parking areas at the Bundy and Airport Arts campuses — require a virtual parking permit based on the vehicle’s license plate. Vehicles with license plates that have not been registered for a virtual parking permit will be subject to a parking citation.
Students who wish to use the on-campus parking facilities at the main SMC campus, the SMC Performing Arts Center, and the Center for Media and Design must purchase a virtual parking permit for $93.50 for the fall or spring semester, or $49.50 for the winter and summer sessions. The price includes the City of Santa Monica 10% parking facilities tax. Funds from parking fees are used to maintain and improve the parking facilities.
Fees for virtual parking permits vary according to the time of year, and discounts are available for students who receive a California College Promise Grant (CCPG) because they or their family receive benefits under CalWORKs/Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) or SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income) or General Assistance/General Relief.
Parking at the SMC Airport Arts and Bundy campuses is FREE for students attending classes there, but requires a virtual parking permit.
Parking at the SMC Bundy shuttle lot is FREE for SMC students, but requires a virtual parking permit. Student virtual parking permits are NOT valid for faculty/staff parking areas.
The display of a DMV accessible placard AND a license plate registered to a valid SMC virtual parking permit allows students to park in any accessible, student, or staff parking space.
Inter-campus shuttle service is FREE with a TAP card a student has registered with a new interagency transit pass. In addition, SMC students who have paid the Student Benefits fee can use the registered TAP card to ride ANY Big Blue Bus ANY time for FREE! SMC students can also use the TAP card to ride Metro buses and trains for free. Students who do not already have a TAP card can also request one. Students should see smc.edu/transportation for up-to-date details.
Cars with activated alarms in the SMC parking areas will be TOWED IMMEDIATELY at the car owner’s expense.
The Schedule of Classes and smc.edu/transportation offer up-to-date information on parking requirements and fees, instructions on how to obtain a virtual parking permit in person or online, inter-campus shuttle information, and links to commuter bus schedules, route maps, and a variety of transportation options.
Returned checks and rejected credit card payments are subject to a fee of up to $25 and are taken care of at the Auxiliary Services Office, located at 1738 Pearl St. An administrative hold will be placed on a student’s records until the matter is resolved. A student who leaves SMC owing a balance and does not pay the amount owed will be responsible for paying all collection costs and/or attorney’s fees. This debt may also be reported to all three major credit bureaus.
Students may be eligible for a refund if they dropped a class by the “Refund Deadline” noted in their class schedule at Corsair Connect (smc.edu/cc). Additional information is available in the College Policies section of the Schedule of Classes. To process refunds, Santa Monica College has partnered with BankMobile. Details are available at smc.edu/bankmobile. Students should ensure their mailing address is up to date to prevent delays in receiving their refund.
Refund Schedules
If a student owes fees, the College will keep the amount owed and refund the difference to the student. This also applies to financial aid disbursements. Refunds take about two more weeks to arrive. Students should make sure their mailing address is up to date to prevent delays in receiving the refund. For students who have enrolled in a future term, any refund owed will be applied toward any fee owed for that term.
Students withdrawing before the refund deadline will receive a 100% refund of enrollment fees (minus a processing charge of $10).
For questions concerning refunds, students should contact the Cashier’s Office at cashier@smc.edu.
Refunds are processed approximately 45 days after the start of the term. Students should allow 1-2 weeks after the scheduled refund to receive their refund.
Summer session: Week 4
Fall semester: Week 5 and Week 11
Winter session: Week 2
Spring semester: Week 5 and Week 11
Withdrawal Refund Schedule
Enrollment Fee
No refunds of enrollment fees are available to students who paid enrollment fees and who withdraw after the posted refund deadlines. Each class has its own refund and drop deadlines, which are posted on each student’s class schedule at Corsair Connect. Students who withdraw prior to this deadline will receive a 100% refund of enrollment fees, minus a processing charge of $10. See the Fees webpage at smc.edu/fees for more information on withdrawal refunds.
Nonresident Tuition
Nonresident students who withdraw from Santa Monica College before the published refund deadline will receive a 100% refund of their nonresident tuition, minus any relevant processing fees. Students should apply for tuition refunds at the Cashier’s Office.
Health Services, Student Benefits, A.S. Resource, and Student Representation Fees
Students who paid Health Services, Student Benefits, A.S. Resource, and Student Representation fees and who withdraw from all Santa Monica College classes before the published refund deadline will receive a 100% refund of the $26 Health Services fee (for fall or spring semesters; $22 for winter or summer sessions), a 100% refund of the $22.50 Student Benefits fee, a 100% refund of the $10 A.S. Resource fee, and a $100% refund of the $2 Student Representation fee.
On-Campus Parking Permit Fee
Parking permit fees are not refundable after the first 10% of the term. To obtain the refund, a student must present the parking permit receipt at the Cashier’s Office.