Overview
Note: The fees listed in this Catalog are those in effect at the time of publication. Fees are subject to change at any time by action of the State Legislature, Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, or District Board of Trustees. To view a current listing of fees, visit the Fees website.
Audit Fee
The Colleges of the District allow auditing of courses with the exception of courses in programs that require special presentation and/or program admissions on a limited basis. See the Audit Policy webpage.
An auditing fee as established by California Education Code is payable at the time of enrollment as an auditor. The fee is $15 per unit. If the course is a variable unit class, the student must enroll for the maximum number of units available. Students enrolled in ten (10) or more semester units for credit can audit up to three additional units free of charge.
Enrollment Fee
A State-mandated enrollment fee of $46 per unit is payable at the time of registration.
The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges has established a grant program to help low income students pay the enrollment fee. Information on eligibility requirements and application deadlines, as well as application forms, are available in the Financial Aid Office.
In addition to other costs, students classified as non-residents of the state of California must pay a tuition fee and Capital Outlay fee. See details under Non-Resident Tuition Fee.
Health Services Fee
The Health Services Fee will not be assessed for the 2023-24 academic year.
Inclusive Digital Access Fee
The Inclusive Access - Digital Texbooks program is a textbook model created in collaboration with top publishers and the College of San Mateo Bookstore that converts books into dynamic digital content that lowers the cost of course materials for all students in the course. The fee varies by course. The digital content also includes interactive learning platforms, interactive abilities with CANVAS and other benefits:
- Automatically billed to your WebSMART account at the beginning of the semester for enrolled students
- Discounted access for digital content
- Discounted print book upgrade (if available) at the bookstore.
To opt out and not participate in the program for courses that are part of the Inclusive Access program, please visit the College of San Mateo Bookstore website, click on Inclusive Access, and follow the instructions on that page.
Student Representation Fee
A representation fee of $2 per student per semester was established by an election of the student body at College of San Mateo. Under applicable provisions of the Education Code, the students established the representation fee by a two-thirds majority of students who voted in the election.
Of the $2 fee, $1 stays with the local Associated Students to be expended to provide support for students or their representatives who may be stating their positions and viewpoints before city, county, and district government and before offices and agencies of the local, State and Federal government. The remaining $1 goes to the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) to support the group’s advocacy and representation activities.
A student has the right to refuse to pay the student representation fee for any reason. This refusal must be submitted in writing to the Center for Student Life & Leadership Development. The fee is not covered by financial aid.
Parking Fee
The Parking Fee will not be assessed for the 2023-24 academic year.
Student Body Fee
The optional student body fee is $15 per semester and is assessed at the time of registration. This entitles the student to a photo ID student body card, which can be obtained at the Center for Student Life & Leadership Development during regular office hours. This photo identification card entitles students to special discount of 10% to 40% at participating local businesses, movie theaters, shops and restaurants. On-campus discounts are available at the Cosmetology salon, CSM Bookstore (non-book items), and all athletic events. Funds collected from the student body fee help support numerous programs and services on campus including scholarships, emergency student loans, child care, athletics, guest speakers and concerts.
Non-Resident Tuition Fee
No tuition is charged to legal residents of California. In 2023-24, students who have not been residents of California (as defined in the Education Code) for one year or longer prior to the beginning of a term are required to pay a non-resident tuition fee of $358 per unit ($358 per unit for foreign students) and Capital Outlay fee of $1 per unit at the time of registration in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee. Residency status is determined by the Office of Admissions and Records.
In general, an unmarried minor (a person under 18 years of age) derives legal residence from his/her father (or his/her mother if the father is deceased), or, if the case of permanent separation of the parents, from the parent with whom the minor maintains his/ her abode. The residence of a minor cannot be changed by an act of the minor or an act of the minor’s guardian while the minor’s parents are living.
An adult must take steps to establish legal residency in California at least one year prior to the beginning of the term in order to be classified as a resident student for that term. Information concerning acceptable documentation of intent to establish and maintain California residency is available in the Office of Admissions and Records.
Other Expenses
Students must purchase their own textbooks and supplies. A considerable saving is possible through the purchase of used texts from the on-campus College of San Mateo Bookstore. The San Mateo County Community College District offers a textbook rental program to assist students with textbook costs. Special equipment is needed for certain programs such as Electronics, Drafting, Nursing, Cosmetology, Engineering, Art and Architecture, involving an additional initial outlay ranging from $100 to $600. Please refer to course descriptions for special costs.
Non-Payment of Fees
San Mateo County Community College District policy requires students to pay all fees at the time of enrollment. The policy states that students will be dropped from classes for non-payment of fees. Upon registering for classes, all payment deadline information will be sent immediately to the student’s my.smccd.edu email account. For more important information, visit the Fees website. If students are unable to pay their fees, they are encouraged to enroll in an inexpensive payment plan via WebSMART, apply for financial aid (www.fafsa.gov) at least five days prior to registering for your classes, or complete the Board of Governors Fee Waiver via WebSMART to prevent being dropped from classes. If students need financial assistance after exhausting all options listed above, they may contact the Vice President of Student Services at csmvpss@smccd.edu.
Students who have unpaid fees on their record will not receive grade reports or other records of their work, and will be denied registration unless all outstanding fees have been paid.
Payment Policy
CSM accepts cash, check, credit card and debit cards. Checks are to be made payable to College of San Mateo.
* A listing of additional fees can be found on the CSM Fees website.
