A Low Cost Education!

Many students enroll at South Mountain Community College (SMCC) because they can complete their programs of study with relatively little cost. Low tuition and fees ($1,734 annual full-time student tuition average) can be off-set with federal grants, student employment, scholarships, deferments and short-term or long term loans. Assistance may be provided through the following sources:

Grants - all federal, state and tribal. In 2008-2009, a fully eligible student receives $4,731 in Pell Grant. In addition, other grants range from $200 to $1,200.

Scholarships - gifts from local and national donors for scholarship (merit) as well as financial need. Awards range from $200 to $3,000.

Employment - campus and local businesses. Students may work 20 hours per week on campus. Typically, a student may be awarded $2500-4000 in student employment. Work-study funds are not automatically awarded.  Students must inquire in the Financial Aid Office if interested in working on campus.

Loans - low interest, long term loans are available to students based on eligibility and level of enrollment. Loans range up to $8,500 in subsidized and unsubsized type. Loans are not automatically packaged/awarded to students.  If interested in a student loan, students must pick up at the Aid Office or download from the web the '3 Steps to a Loan' process.

Tuition Payment Plans - payment arrangement with Business Services to ease the burden of payment. Typically, payment is divided into three equal payments.

Book cost deferments - Book waivers are available to financial aid eligible students 1 week before the start of any term.

How Much Does It Cost To Attend SMCC Full Time? 

The direct cost of fulll-time attendance is approximately $1740 for tuition for 1 year and $1,740 for books. The total budget for the 2008-2009 academic year may include room and board, travel and personal expenses, tuition, fees, books and supplies.  Total amount may vary from $13,062 to $19,568 depending on residency and tuition status (the majority of this budget is living expenses and board).

In assessing an applicant's need, all available resources are subtracted from the budget. For example:

Academic Year Budget:         a   $15,500
Parent or Student Contribution:  $ -2,200 (FAFSA determined)
Financial Aid Eligibility (need): = $ 13,300

Funds from the various programs described on the following pages are combined to meet the need of eligible students.

The various programs may be divided into four broad categories: grants/scholarships, loan, employment and loans. A sample student award to meet financial need may be:

• Pell Grant $4,371
• Supplemental Grant $600
• College Work Study $4,000 (work w/payment bimonthly).
• Student Loan $3,500 (repayment begins when student graduates or leaves school).