Financial Aid and Tuition

SMU has offered emergency scholarships for the last few years. We are fortunate to have alumni and staff that donate to the emergency fund. An emergency is a sudden, urgent usually unexpected occurrence requiring immediate action.

Tuition and other expected expenses that are covered by existing financial aid and loan programs are generally not eligible. The SMU Emergency Assistance is a limited fund to help currently enrolled SMU students on a case-by-case basis with emergency expenses, such as unexpected illnesses, accidents, or extreme hardships, which happen during the academic year.

A student will be able to apply for a maximum of one award per semester and will need to submit a new application if applying for subsequent semesters.

Emergency aid will NOT cover the following:

• A gap in or the inability to pay for tuition or fees.
• Optional certificate fees not required for completing your program, i.e., PALS or ACLS.
• Items required for a student's program prior to or at the start of the first term, such as a working computer/laptop or uniforms.
• Expenses prior to the start of your program.
• Regular automotive maintenance.
• Recurring living expenses, i.e., rent/mortgage payments or monthly childcare.
• Medical expenses for family members.

Emergency aid requests must include documentation with dates of when the incident occurred, and the name of the student. Pictures are not supporting documentation.

The committee will take into consideration the students' financial aid eligibility and if Student Accounts report a remaining balance to be paid. Any Emergency Assistance given may be applied to the remaining balance first.

Students who have fully taken advantage of student loan opportunities available to them (including students who have taken alternative loans to cover expenses) will be given priority.

To apply, log into mysmu.samuelmerritt.edu — click on the box "CL Scholarship Applications website". Complete the application under SMU Emergency Scholarships.

We know that about one-third of students are worried about having sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food. The food pantries are here so that students have access to healthy and nourishing food that promotes health and well-being so you can successfully focus on your studies.

Who is eligible?

Any student who needs food can come by the food pantry.

Where is the Pantry? What are the hours? Who is the contact?

• Oakland Campus
  Campus Service Center 525 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
  Check-in at the security desk
  Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Sacramento Campus
  Pantry is in Suite 300
  Contact Robyn Heise (rheise@samuelmerritt.edu)
  Hours: By appointment only
• San Francisco Peninsula
  Pantry is in Room 306
  Contact Michael Wong (mwong@samuelmerritt.edu)
  Hours: By appointment only

How does it work?

The pantry is set up like a mini-grocery store. With assistance from the Food Pantry Coordinator, you will select the food you want. Reminder emails are sent each week (for the Oakland Campus), along with a link to the online pantry intake form (required for each visit) for your completion. To help us plan for your visit, the pantry intake form should be submitted no later than 9:30 a.m. on the scheduled pantry access day. We recommend that you bring your own bag(s) as our on-hand supply may be limited from time to time.

What kind of food is available?

We have a wide variety of shelf-stable food. Grains, cereals, canned fruit and vegetables, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, stews, soups, seasonings, canned fish and meat, and shelf-stable milk. We do not have refrigerators or freezers so we cannot stock perishable food. The Oakland campus food pantry is operated in partnership with Alameda County Community Food Bank. The San Francisco Peninsula campus food pantry is operated in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank.

Are non-food items available?

Yes! In February 2021, personal care items were added as regular inventory to the food pantry. Available items include: body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, razors, shaving cream, and feminine hygiene products.

Are there limits on food I can pick up?

There are limitations on the quantity of food a student may select. The Food Pantry Coordinator will assist you during your visit.

Students can visit the pantry once per week. If have special circumstances, please email Roni Wallace (vwallace@samuelmerritt.edu).

What kind of information do I need to give?

We have a short, private intake form we ask students to complete for each visit so that we know how many students we are serving.

SMU has partnered with the National Endowment for Financial Education to provide a comprehensive online curriculum of financial topics. You can create an account at https://www.cashcourse.org/. The system is self-paced and you can pick and choose what topics you want to explore.

Financial Wellness Coursework

• Be Credit Savvy – This course starts with 10 pre-test questions about credit. Then, review the slides of information about how credit works and how to use it responsibly. Following the slides, take a 10-question post-test to measure knowledge gained.
• Budgeting Basics – This course starts with 10 pre-test questions about budgeting. Then, review the slides of information about how budgeting works and how to budget your own money. Following the slides, take a 10-question post-test to measure knowledge gained.
• Paying Back Student Loans – This course starts with 10 pre-test questions about student loans. Then, review the slides of information about student loans and the options for repayment. Following the slides, take a 10-question post-test to measure knowledge gained.
• Getting Started with Saving and Investing – This course starts with 10 pre-test questions about saving and investing. Then, review the slides of information about savings and investment accounts, risk, and other relevant topics. Following the slides, take a 10-question post-test to measure knowledge gained.
• Career Planning – This course starts with 10 pre-test questions. Then, review the slides of information about career planning. Following the slides, take a 10-question post-test to measure knowledge gained.
• Saving and Goal Setting – This course starts with 10 pre-test questions. Then, review the slides of information about saving and goal setting. Following the slides, take a 10-question post-test to measure knowledge gained.
• Prepare for Emergencies – This course starts with 10 pre-test questions. Then, review the slides of information about preparing for emergencies. Following the slides, take a 10-question post-test to measure knowledge gained.
• Funding Sources – This course starts with 10 pre-test questions. Then, review the slides of information about funding sources. Following the slides, take a 10-question post-test to measure knowledge gained.

Worksheets

• Monthly Budget – This worksheet provides an outline of common college expenses. Set a budget for each category, and then compare income and expenses to see if the budget needs an adjustment.
• Student Loan Comparison Chart – This worksheet lists costs and factors to consider when evaluating student loan options. This worksheet is helpful when used in conjunction with the loan payoff calculators.
• SMART Goals Worksheet – Use this worksheet to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound (SMART) goals. When goals are too abstract, it can be hard to know how or where to start. SMART goals help you to stay accountable and to be deliberate in your planning.

smu global health initiative

On Nov. 17, 2015, the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services released a fact sheet on the rights of unaccompanied children to enroll in and participate meaningfully and equally in education programs.

• Fact Sheet [PDF]

On October 20, 2015, the U.S. Department of Education released a Resource Guide to help schools, colleges, teachers, and other personnel support the college and career success of undocumented and DACA youth in secondary and postsecondary settings.

• Guide [PDF]

Higher Education

• Qualifying for Student Aid—Many non-U.S. citizens qualify for federal student aid. Access this website to learn more about the eligibility criteria for that aid.
• Questions and Answers about Financial Aid and Undocumented Students [PDF]—This questions-and-answers (Q&As) document provides information about student financial aid for undocumented students as well as guidance for a specific subgroup of undocumented students who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The Q&As include general information, information about eligibility for financial aid, and information about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• WHIEEH Financial Aid Guide for Graduates—The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics (WHIEEH) created the ¡Graduáte! Financial Aid Guide to Success (Guide) to help students and families navigate the college application process. The Guide, available in both English and Spanish, provides recommended steps for the college enrollment process, helpful tips on filling out the FAFSA and key financial aid resources available to better support Hispanics, including DACA and non-U.S. citizen students, in their efforts to access a postsecondary education.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Students

On June 15, 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several key guidelines, including educational guidelines, may request consideration of deferred immigration enforcement action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. Individuals who are granted deferred action would then be eligible for work authorization. Deferred action does not provide an individual with lawful status, but instead is a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion.