Tuition and Fees

All tuition and fees associated with the enrollment become your obligation. Students who wish to stretch payment out over a period of time should check out our no-interest tuition payment plan (FACTS).

The total cost of attending any college includes tuition, fees, books and supplies, transportation and housing. Southwestern Michigan College has exceptionally low tuition and very few mandatory fees. Of course, you may be eligible for financial aid or the HOPE scholarship tuition tax credit for attending college. See the Financial Aid area of this Web site for additional details.

SMC also has a plan called FACTS that allows a student to pay online and choose between paying in full or making monthly payments. Additional information on SMC's FACTS Payment Plan is online. Contact the Business Office at (269) 782-1299 or (269) 687-1600, Extension 1299 for more information.

Residency

Information provided on the Application for Admission determines your residency for tuition purposes. The college will require verification of place of residency. Your residency status, as defined below, may be reconsidered upon presentation of written proof that your bona fide place of residence has changed. Those students living in Southwestern Michigan College housing will not constitute an in-district resident unless their permanent home address qualifies them for such a designation.

In-District Resident

• A student who holds or in the case of a dependent student, whose parents or legal guardians hold, real taxable property in the Southwestern Michigan College District (all of Cass County plus Keeler and Hamilton Townships in Van Buren County).
• A student who has resided in the before mentioned governmental units before the first day of the semester in which he/she initially registers for classes.
• A student who receives Veterans Education Benefits.
• A student who enrolls in a program in which the college is a member of a consortium or for which the college serves as a fiscal agent may be charged resident rates.

In-State Resident

A student holding or a dependent student whose parents or legal guardians hold, real taxable property within the state of Michigan but outside the in-district areas defined as In-District.

Active duty military personnel and dependents are considered Michigan residents for tuition purposes if Michigan is the active duty member’s legal state of residence or if the active duty member is stationed in Michigan.

Out-of-State Resident:

Students who are permanent U.S. residents and do not qualify as in-district or as in-state students.

International

A foreign national in non-immigrant alien status.

Senior Citizens

A person who is 65 years of age or older.

To Change Residency Status

The College reserves the right to require documentation acceptable to the College in all cases of residency determination and verification. Documentation is required of any student changing to a reduced tuition status but may be asked of others. All acceptable proof of residency documents must clearly indicate name and permanent address. All documents must be originals or copies certified with a raised seal or stamp.

1. If requested, the following forms of proof are acceptable:
   1. Valid current driver’s license OR state issued ID card, AND
   2. One of the following pieces of documentation verifiable and dated at least six months prior to the start of the term:
      1. Most recent property tax receipt
      2. Utility bill or credit card bill
      3. Account statement from a bank or other financial institution
      4. Life, health, auto, or home insurance policy that clearly identifies the permanent address
      5. Federal, state, or local government documents, such as receipts, licenses, or assessments.
      6. Vehicle title AND registration
      7. Mortgage, lease, or rental agreement including the landlord’s telephone number
   (Note: in the case where the property tax receipt or mortgage, lease, or rental agreement is in the student’s parents’ name(s), the student must also provide proof of dependency.)
2. These documents must be presented to the office of Records and Registration prior to the first day of the term in order to have the residency code adjusted. After the first day of the term, the codes will not be adjusted until the next academic term.