Santa Monica College

In 2004, tuition for full-time Santa Monica College students was $1,104 a year for in-state students and $9,048 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until after graduation.

For information on Santa Monica College's financial aid options for first-year students, check with the school directly.

Does Santa Monica College Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Santa Monica College is a public institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $1,104 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save on the total cost of attending college. Take the time to check your state's requirements for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Tuition for International Students at Santa Monica College

Tuition at Santa Monica College is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or Santa Monica College-specific aid and scholarships.

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Santa Monica College Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Santa Monica College.

Room and Board Costs at Santa Monica College

Santa Monica College does not offer on-campus housing for students, so there is no cost for housing, however students should consider the cost of off-campus housing when estimating the actual cost of different schools

Board costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Santa Monica College?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer resources so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Santa Monica College

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is often expensive, but cities may offer more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Santa Monica Collegeis located in a city in California, not far from Los Angeles.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to consider personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Financial Breakdown for Santa Monica College

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Santa Monica College.

Total Cost of Santa Monica College

What will the cost of attending Santa Monica College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$1,104
Out-of-State Tuition	$9,048

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Santa Monica College

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Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Santa Monica College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Santa Monica College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

Santa Monica College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Santa Monica College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Santa Monica College seem more manageable.

What will attending Santa Monica College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Santa Monica College's net cost calculator on their website.

Santa Monica College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Santa Monica College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Santa Monica College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Santa Monica College's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Santa Monica College

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

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