Major Financial Aid Programs

GRANTS - Need-based financial aid that does not have to be repaid.

Note: Federal and state grants are subject to Course Program of Study (CPOS) requirements. Only courses required for your financial aid eligible program will be counted toward financial aid. CCPG and Free College are not impacted by CPOS. For more information, visit: https://smccd.edu/financialaid/cpos.php 

PROGRAM WHO CAN APPLY ANNUAL AWARDS UP TO... FILING DEADLINE
Cal Grant A California Community College Students Tuition and fee assistance at university on reserve for up to two academic years until transfer March 2 and Sept. 2 (subject to change—check CSAC website)
Cal Grant B Access Undergraduates $1,648 March 2 and Sept. 2 (subject to change—check CSAC website)
Cal Grant B Tuition Bachelor of Science Respiratory Care Students Varies based on cost of upper division coursework March 2
California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) CADAA students with a Cal Grant B who complete community service $4,500

July 1 through June 30 or until funds are exhausted

*Note: Eligible students must complete a DSIG application with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Go to www.csac.ca.gov.

Cal Grant C Technical and Career Education Students $1,094 March 2 and Sept. 2 (subject to change—check CSAC website)
California College Promise Grant (CCPG)* California Community College Students Waives $46 per unit registration fee  Applications accepted throughout the year
CCPG for Bachelor of Science Respiratory Care* Bachelor’s of Science Respiratory Care Students Waives $46 per unit. After CCPG applied, student charged $84 per unit for upper division coursework. Contact the Financial Aid Office
Chafee Grant Current and Former Foster Youth $5,000

Go to www.csac.ca.gov

*Note: Eligible students must complete a Chafee Grant application with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

Federal Pell Grant Undergraduates $7,395

End of term or by end of school year

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Undergraduates $400-$800 March 2 priority
Federal Workforce Pell Students in eligible short-term workforce programs Amount varies based on federal guidelines Contact the Financial Aid Office
Special Fee Waivers* (See CCPG form)

a) CA Department of Veterans Affairs Dependent’s Fee Waiver

b) National Guard Dependent’s Fee Waiver

c) Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient or Child of a Recipient

d) 9/11 Terrorist Attack Victim Dependent’s Fee Waiver 

e) Deceased Law Enforcement/Fire Suppression Dependent’s Fee Waiver

f) Exonerated of a Crime by Writ of Habeus Corpus or Pardon Fee Waiver

g) COVID-19 - Deceased Physician/Nurse/First Responder Dependent’s/Spouse’s/RDP’s Fee Waiver 

Waives $46 per unit enrollment fee Applications accepted year-round
Student Success Completion Grant California Community College Students receiving a Cal Grant B or C who enroll in 12+ units per term (Fall and Spring), or who enroll in 9+ units per term (Fall and Spring) and are considered full time as part of a Disabled Student Program and Services (DSPS) Academic Accommodation Plan. $2,596 - $8,000 (Annual Award varies) March 2 and Sept. 2 (Subject to change—check CSAC website)
The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant (LEPD) Program Offers need-based grants to the dependents and spouses of California peace officers (Highway Patrol, marshals, sheriffs, police officers), Department of Corrections and California Youth Authority employees, and full-time firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty $100-$12,192 (Annual Award varies) Go to www.csac.ca.gov

*Note: Eligible students must complete a LEPD Grant Program application with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

LOANS - Money borrowed for college costs that must be repaid, along with any interest accrued.

Note: Federal loans are subject to Course Program of Study (CPOS) requirements. Only courses required for your financial aid eligible program will be counted toward your federal loans. For more information, visit: https://smccd.edu/financialaid/cpos.php. Effective 2026–2027, loan amounts will be prorated based on your enrollment level, program length, or remaining period of study. 

PROGRAM WHO CAN APPLY ANNUAL AWARDS UP TO... FILING DEADLINE
Direct Subsidized Loan Undergraduate $3,500 – $4,500 Contact the Financial Aid Office
Direct Subsidized Loan for B.S. Respiratory Care Bachelor of Science Respiratory Care Students $5,500 Contact the Financial Aid Office
Direct Unsubsidized Loan Undergraduate/ Graduate Students $6,000 Contact the Financial Aid Office
Direct Unsubsidized Loan for B.S. Respiratory Care Bachelor of Science Respiratory Care Students $7,000 Contact the Financial Aid Office
Direct Plus Loan Parents of Dependent Undergraduate Students Varies Contact the Financial Aid Office

WORK STUDY - Money for college earned by students.

Note: Federal Work-Study (FWS) is subject to Course Program of Study (CPOS) requirements. Only courses required for your financial aid eligible program will be counted toward FWS. For more information, visit: https://smccd.edu/financialaid/cpos.php 

PROGRAM WHO CAN APPLY ANNUAL AWARDS UP TO... FILING DEADLINE
Federal Work-Study Student Assistant Undergraduate and Graduate Students Up to $8,000 Contact the Financial Aid Office
CalWorks Work-Study CalWORKS Student Varies Contact the EOPS Office

SPECIAL PROGRAMS - Funding that does not have to be repaid.

These special program funds are not impacted by Course Program of Study (CPOS) requirements. For more information, visit: https://smccd.edu/financialaid/cpos.php 

PROGRAM WHO CAN APPLY ANNUAL AWARDS UP TO... FILING DEADLINE
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) California Community College Students $900 Contact the EOPS Office
Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) California Community College Students Varies Contact the EOPS Office
College Scholarships Skyline College students, transfer students, and incoming high school students Varies See website: skylinecollege.edu/financialaid/scholarships.php
Middle Class Scholarship Bachelor of Science Respiratory Care students Varies March 2
Free College Students that live in San Mateo County may qualify Waives $46 per unit registration fee and may provide other financial assistance

Eligibility evaluated throughout the year;

For information, visit: Free College at SMCCCD 

AB 2747 (Nazarian) – Team USA Student Athletes Team USA athletes residing in California for Olympic training Provides in-state tuition eligibility (nonresident tuition waived) Contact the Financial Aid Office

*Annual Awards are subject to change.

A student who is verified as a homeless youth as defined above will retain that status for up to six years or the age of 25. For more information and assistance, homeless youth should contact the Financial Aid Office or SparkPoint.