Welcome to the Veterans Success Center at Santa Monica College, serving veterans entering college for the first time or returning to college to further their education, active duty and dependents (spouse and/or children).
The center acts as a liaison with the Veterans Administration to verify enrollment for students claiming benefits under the GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) and the Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Program. We can also assist the veteran with referrals to various veteran-serving programs in the West Los Angeles area.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Fall 2025 Hours
September 2 through December 23, 2025
Office Hours - Limited In-Person/Phone/Remote
- Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Limited In-Person Services
- Friday: Office Closed/Virtual Services only - no counseling
Academic Counseling - Limited In-Person/Virtual-Zoom Appointments (Week 1 and 2)
- Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - In-person drop-ins
- Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Express/Drop-ins via Zoom
The Veterans Success Center is closed in observance of legal and college holidays:
September 1, 2025 - Labor Day
November 11, 2025 - Veterans Day
November 27-28 - Thanksgiving Holiday
Contact
Phone: 310-434-8205 - general number
Email: VetsOutreach@smc.edu
Location: Main Campus, Cayton Building, Invictus Lower Level
Remote Veteran Services
New Students
GI Bill®, Admissions-DD214, Financial Aid, Mandatory Counseling Appointment, Corsair Connect (student portal), Academic Educational Plan, Enrollment, Certification Agreement Form
Other Services
Veterans Reemployment and Education (VR&E) Counseling (VetSuccess)
Stephen Lam
VA VetSuccess on Campus Counselor (VSOC)
SMC/UCLA
In-Person Office Hours:
- Wednesday/Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. SMC Veteran Success Center
- 310-882-3411
US Vets Wellness Counselor (Mental Health)
Sasha Kleinman
- Tuesdays: 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Tutoring
Four Ways to Contact an Academic Counselor
Video Express Counseling on Zoom
Monday and Tuesday: 11:00 a .m. - 12:00 p.m
Unit Increases, Prerequisite Waivers, Quick Questions, 10 minute Session. NO Ed Plan or Transcript Evaluations
Appointment Booking Online
- Log in to Corsair Connect.
- Main page, scroll down, SMC Quick Links on the left-hand side.
- Click on Book a Counseling Appointment.
- Online booking system, Program/Area, Counselor, Day, and Time (Example: Veteran, Sandoval, Tuesday, 8 a.m.)
- Book appointment, confirmation smc email
Telephone Booking
Call 310-434-8205, if voice mail, leave a message:
State your name, SMC student ID, and request so that we may return your call within 48 hours.
Note: The return telephone call from VRC will show up as "Blocked" or "Unknown" caller.
Email VetsOutreach@smc.edu with your name, SMC Student ID, and request, Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Veteran, Active Duty Military and Dependent Information
Veterans/Active Duty/Reservist
Priority Registration: DD214/Orders - submit at Verifications@smc.edu
Certification of Eligibility (COE) - Submit at Vetsoutreach@smc.edu
Transcripts - Submit at Transcripts@smc.edu
Post 911/GI Bill® - Chapter 33
Montgomery GI Bill - Chapter 30
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) - Chapter 1606
Dependents
Certification of Eligibility (COE) - Submit at Vetsoutreach@smc.edu
Post 911/GI Bill®- Chapter 33D
Out of State Veterans/Dependents
How to Establish California Residency
Student Veterans of America
SVA, Santa Monica Chapter
Meetings every Thursday at 4 p.m. via Zoom Room
More Services
ABI/TBI Specialist - Center for Students with Disabilities
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Erika Deuel, ABI/TBI Specialist, Center for Students with Disabilities, deuel_erika@smc.edu, 310-434-4442
