Welcome to SMCC!!!
Learn about all of the Student Services available at South Mountain Community College. There are many ways you can receive academic, financial or career assistance and many ways to get involved in the South Mountain Community. Please contact the Welcome Center with general questions at 602-243-8000 and they can direct you to the specific departments that can best answer your questions.
Step 1-College Admission
All NEW students to South Mountain Community College must complete a Student Information Form (SIF). Here are three ways to do it:
- Complete the on-line Student Information Form (go to my.maricopa.edu):
- Complete the form and submit it in person at the Registration & Records Office.
- Call one of our registration operators at 602.243.8380, and they will take your information on the telephone.
Instructions for Admissions:
- Click on ADMISSIONS to complete your Student Information Form (if filling out the form online).
- Enter your Social Security Number for the Student Identification Number. If you choose not to use your Social Security Number, and the online process will not let you proceed, then you will need to complete the SMCC Student Information Form (SIF) in person at the Registration & Records Office.
- Select the semester that you wish to begin your studies.
- Spring semester is generally for classes beginning in January
- Summer I semester is generally for classes beginning in June
- Summer II semester is generally for classes beginning in July
- Fall semester is generally for classes beginning in August
- Press Continue and complete form.
- Press SUBMIT at the end of form when complete.
- You are now eligible to register for classes.
Note: if you are a former student who has not taken classes for more than one year, you will need to reactivate your student account here before your password can be reset.
Step 2-PROP 300 & HB2008 Documentation
Per Arizona State law passed by Arizona voters in November 2006, PROP 300 stipulates that college students who are not legal United States citizens or are without lawful immigration status must pay out-of-state tuition, and that persons who are not United States citizens and who are without lawful immigration status are not eligible for financial assistance using state money. The law requires that those who are not citizens or legal residents pay out-of-state tuition. What this means with regards to PROP 300: The Colleges' efforts to comply with the law mean that students are being asked to provide information about their citizenship or legal status. To qualify for in-state tuition and state financial assistance, students must provide documentation as proof of lawful presence in the United States (see HB2008 below). Students who successfully complete the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will not need to show additional proof of citizenship.*
HB2008 (See generally Arizona Revised Statutes §§1-501 and 1-502)
Under this law passed in 2009, MCCCD, in administering any "federal public benefit" or "state or local public benefit," must require each natural person who applies for the benefit to submit one of 12 specific types of documents to demonstrate lawful presence in the United States (see Acceptable Documents to Establish Lawful Presence). That person must also sign a sworn affidavit stating that the documents are true. Failure of an MCCCD employee who administers that MCCCD benefit to report "discovered violations of federal immigration law" is a class 2 misdemeanor. The employee's supervisor is also guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor if he or she knew of the failure to report, and failed to direct the employee to do so.
Note: International students in the U.S. who are on a visa, may or may not qualify for in-state tuition regardless of whether or not they can prove lawful presence in the U.S. Some visa types do not qualify for in-state tuition as per Federal Regulations.
Step 3- Finances/Payment Plan/Financial Aid
Financial assistance may be provided in the form of grants, scholarships or loans. Be sure to complete the FAFSA form if you are planning on obtaining student loans to finance your education. You should also contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions you have regarding the types of financial assistance (if any) for which you may be eligible.
One Option - Financial Aid
Apply for Financial Aid. Financial assistance is available in the form of grants, scholarships and loans. www.fafsa.ed.gov
Note: To receive Financial Aid, you will need to complete a FAFSA application every academic year. While waiting for your financial aid, set up a payment plan via NELNET eCasier program and your classes will be held. (A $20 set-up fee is required for the NELNET plan and payments will be deducted from your checking account on a monthly basis.)
Other Options (if you do not wish to use financial aid or if you do not qualify for financial aid):
- Payment Plan
- Cash, check, debit and credit card
Step 4-Placement Tests
Contact the Assessment Department in order to complete the placement tests. The ACCUPLACER or ASSET tests are required prior to registering for classes. The scores from those tests are used to help you and an advisor determine which level of English, reading and math courses you need to take. Students placed in the proper level courses have a much better chance of success. Testing is free.
NEW TO COLLEGE---STOP AND READ BEFORE MOVING TO THE NEXT STEP!
Are you new to college, taking 12 credits or more, and seeking an Associate s degree or transfer to a four-year university? Then your next step is to sign up for an iStartSmart session---this session will cover Steps 5-7. Get more information by clicking the link below.
iStartSmart - For all new students.
Click here for more information
Step 5-Academic Advisement
Advisors at South Mountain are available on a walk-in basis (no appointment is necessary though it is recommended). It is best to come in well before you plan to enroll. Many classes and programs fill up long before the semester begins and often there are additional steps that need to be completed after the first meeting with an advisor. There are several things a student can do in order to get the most from a meeting with an advisor:
- Have official transcript(s) sent to South Mountain from all colleges and schools previously attended. Some programs also require high school/GED transcripts for admission.
- Obtain a copy of the current college catalog and read it. The catalog gives the official information about all of the academic programs, registration policies and procedures. (Note: The current college catalog is available online.)
- Read the current class schedule. It has all of the important dates, class times, phone numbers and office hours.
- Think of questions to ask before your visit.
Work with an advisor to choose the classes best suited to your educational goals and schedule. An Advisor's signature is required to enroll in a class with the prefix of ENG, CRE, MAT, or RDG.
A note for students who have not chosen a degree or certificate program: Many students start as "undecided." Your Advisor can help you choose courses that will fit into most degrees and give you an introduction into your areas of interest.
Step 6-Registration
South Mountain Community College offers three (3) different registration options to meet the needs of their students. The three registration options are: online at my.maricopa.edu; through Academic Advisement, or Registration & Records.
If you are registering for classes through Registration & Records you can register in person at one of our locations: SMCC main, SMCC Guadalupe Center, SMCC Ahwatukee Foothills Center, or SMCC at Laveen; or fax (by sending your completed registration form to 602-243-8199) or operator assisted (by calling 602-243-8123).
Step 7-Tuition and Fee Payment
Tuition and associated fees are due and must be paid at the time of registration. If you have not yet received financial aid, you will need to pay your tuition and fees out of pocket until you receive your financial aid. It is strongly recommended that students wishing to use financial aid apply for it at least two months prior to registering for classes to help alleviate the need to pay fees out of pocket.
After tuition and fees have been paid, please return to the Registration & Records Office to obtain your Student ID card and parking decal at no additional cost for first-time students.
*In order to obtain a Student ID card, students must have a major photo ID (such as a driver's license or MVD photo ID card) and a paid tuition/fees receipt. The first ID is free. ID replacement cost is $5.00. Students must return to the Registration & Records Office in order to obtain a validation sticker each semester that they are enrolled at SMCC.
Step 8-Bookstore
Purchase your books at the Follet Bookstore located on the South Mountain Campus or online at eFollett.com. It is advisable to only buy the main textbook per course before classes begin. The instructor may tell you that some materials are optional.
Step 9-Orientation: Get to know the College!
Don't forget to attend our "Passport to the Mountain" welcome session which is held at the beginning of both the Spring and Fall semesters in the Student Union Building. This is a great way for any new student to become acclimated to South Mountain Community College.