Skyline College offers access to many resources, including fee waivers, grants, scholarships, work study and loans. Take advantage of these resources and you’ll find that paying for college is achievable.

⚠️ Important: Courses in Program of Study (CPOS)

Federal regulations require that financial aid can only pay for courses that apply toward your officially declared program of study.

Beginning Fall 2026, Skyline College will review student enrollment to ensure all registered courses count toward their educational goal. Courses that do not apply to your declared program may not be eligible for financial aid funding.

This requirement impacts all federal financial aid programs (including Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Loans, and FWS) as well as state grant programs such as Cal Grant and the Student Success Completion Grant.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a counselor to confirm their course selection aligns with their program requirements.

Learn more about Courses in Program of Study (CPOS) requirements here:
👉 https://smccd.edu/financialaid/cpos.php

Federal & State Grants

Grants do not have to be repaid and awarded based on financial need. This includes the Pell Grant, Chafee Grant, Cal Grants, Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, and more.

California College Promise Grant

CCPG waives per-unit enrollment fees for the entire academic year for eligible California residents attending California Community College.

Free College (SB 893)

Two levels of support offered by Free College can dramatically reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket student fees for residents of San Mateo County pursuing a degree or certificate.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based, federally-funded program that provides part-time jobs for students.

Scholarships

New, continuing, and transfer students can apply for annual institutional scholarships based on a variety of factors and achievements, or explore external opportunities.

Loans for Students

Learn more about the types of federal direct loans for students. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online and review the potential next steps of the loan request.

Foster Youth

Apply for the Guardian Scholars or NextUP programs for financial support and more.

Undocumented Students

AB540 eligible students can apply for aid such as the California Dream Act or Cal Grant.

Veterans

Contact our Veterans Resource Center for assistance in using your benefits and resources.

Looking for other types of support?

Check out the other student resources available at Skyline College including student support programs, food resources, career services, and more.