SB 893 Free College FAQ

Students who reside in San Mateo County will have their enrollment fees waived for the Spring 2023 semester (except for International Students and Non-Resident or Out-of-State students as described below; but see exceptions for Undocumented students). There are no minimum or maximum units required. Depending on documented financial need, students may also be exempted for paying the student body fee, student representation fee, student union fee, inclusive access fee(s), and materials fees associated with the course. For more information, read the Frequently Asked Questions below.

*Free College (SB 893) may not cover all college associated fees. To avoid a Drop For Non-Payment, please check your WebSMART for any outstanding balances. 

Información en español →

SMCCCD students with signs saying "SB 893 is good for students"

If you live within San Mateo County, you likely qualify!  

If you are not a San Mateo County resident, you may still be eligible for the Promise Scholars Program. You may also qualify for other free services such as tutoring, transportation, health services, and groceries. 

Unfortunately, international students do not qualify. To see if you are eligible for other free services such as tutoring, transportation, health services, and groceries please contact your international student office.

Maybe.  Certain out-of-state residents are eligible if their Non-Resident Tuition has been waived under California Education Code.  

If you are an out-of-state resident, you may also be eligible for the Promise Scholars Program and other free services such as tutoring, transportation, health services, and groceries. 

For questions about residency information please visit the following websites:

Current high schools students already receive up to 11 units of their enrollment fees waived through the Concurrent Enrollment Program. Current high school students who meet the qualifications for SB 893 can also receive additional enrollment fees waivers under SB 893 for more than 11.5 units.

Yes. Undocumented students who live in San Mateo County AND are eligible for the “Non-Resident Tuition Fee Waiver for Undocumented Students” can qualify for both the non-resident tuition fee waiver and the “Free College” enrollment fee waiver.  

For additional support or questions, please contact your College Dream Center at: 

No, auditing courses is not covered under SB 893.

For the Spring 2023 semester, there are two levels of qualification.   

Level 1 - Qualification allows you to be exempted from paying Enrollment Fees ($46 a credit hour).   

Level 2 - In addition to Level 1 benefits, you will also be exempted for paying the health fee, student body fee, student representation fee, student union fee, inclusive access fee(s), and materials fees. Materials Fees are those fees automatically charged to the student account when a student registers for a specific course. 

For new students, apply for admissions through CCCApply to one of SMCCCDs three colleges.  If your address and residency checks out, the exemption is automatically applied to your student account once you register for classes.  

For continuing students, just register for classes through WebSMART for the next semester, and if your address checks out the exemption is automatically applied to your student account.  

If you receive the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), you qualify!   

 You can also qualify by having an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) of: 

  • Less than $118,494 for dependent students
  • Less than $170,058 for independent students.

For additional support or questions, please contact your College Financial Aid Offices at: 

Other financial aid and incentives might be impacted based on your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), unmet need, and other factors. Please contact your College Financial Aid Offices for more information:

There are two options to apply for CCPG:

Option 1

  1. U.S. Citizens and Permanent Legal Residents: Submit the  FAFSA  application to see if you are eligible for the fee waiver.
  2. AB540 Students: Submit a CA Dream Act Application.
  3. If you have already submitted a  FAFSA  or  CA Dream Act application, you do not need to apply for the CCPG on WebSMART.  Submitting a FAFSA/Dream Act application will override the CCPG application on WebSMART.

Option 2

  1. Apply for CCPG through WebSMART.
  2. Your WebSMART  account will be updated with the CCPG eligibility within the next 24 hours.
  3. Check your WebSMART  account to verify your eligibility and to see if any documents are required. 
  4. You have 21 days from the date you have submitted your application to submit any required documents to the financial aid office.

The current guidelines are in place for the Spring 2023 semester. SMCCCD will revisit the program and make modifications for future semesters.

©