Community College Guarantee
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Contact Admissions
Admissions Office
David C. Briegel Building
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
enrollment@swmich.edu
269-783-2135
Tuition Assistance for Recent High School Graduates
Michigan residents graduating high school in 2023 or after are eligible for tuition assistance from the State of Michigan, up to the cost of free tuition with the Community College Guarantee. Making Southwestern Michigan College even more affordable.
The program covers:
- In-district tuition and mandatory fees for full-time students.
- An additional $1,000 bonus living expenses award for students eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.
To be eligible, students must:
- Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year. If you are a dependent student, your parents must have been Michigan residents since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
- Graduate from a high school in Michigan in 2023 or after.
- Enroll at a community college as a full-time student (a minimum of 12 credits) within 15 months of high school graduation.
To get started:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA).
- Apply for admission to SMC. Students must be accepted at an institution and registered for classes to receive a final scholarship offer.
You’re also eligible to transfer to a four-year college or university. If you’re earning a bachelor’s degree, you can renew your scholarship for up to five consecutive years (up to three years at a community college or until you earn an associate degree, whichever comes first).
For more information, visit michigan.gov/mistudentaid.
Why SMC?
We're a small college with big opportunities where you can chart your own course. Complete your associate's degree and go on to study at a top university or earn your certificate and enter the workforce as soon as you graduate.
With two campuses, there's always something to do. We also offer some of the nicest residence halls in the state. It's the full college experience for a fraction of the cost.
Programs in In-demand Fields
We can get you started in nearly any high-wage, high-demand career. You can even complete a four-year degree on our Dowagiac campus through our partnership with Ferris State University.
Two Convenient Locations
Southwestern Michigan College has campuses in Dowagiac and Niles, so you can take classes in a location close to you.*
*Programs offered vary by location.
