Apply to Skyline College as a Veteran

Steps to Enrollment

1.  Apply Online

   First, create a California Community Colleges OpenCCC account.

   Then, login with this account to apply to Skyline College. You'll be asked for your intended major and an educational goal, along with some basic personal, educational and residency information.

   The college will contact you once your application has been reviewed. For students who are admitted to the college, your Student ID Number (G-Number) will be sent to you via email.

   Apply Online  

2.  Sign Up for VA Educational Benefits

   Please note that although many Veterans choose to apply to a VA Educational Benefits program, this step is not necessary to enroll at Skyline College.

   If you are applying for VA Educational Benefits (Chapter 30, 31, 33, 35 or 1606) or updating your benefit to change your place of training to Skyline College, use the VA’s Education and Training Page.

   Contact the Veterans Resource Center for help navigating the VA Educational Benefit application process.

   The VRC can also provide information on benefits for Dependents and Active Duty Service members, referrals to the appropriate resources to help determine eligibility for VA Educational Benefits, and more.

   Learn How to Apply  

3.  Complete Orientation

   The New Student Orientation will provide you with the information, resources, and tools you need to be successful at Skyline College.

   If you already have a college degree, you may not be required to attend orientation. Consult email communication received from the college after your application is processed.

   Learn about Orientation  

4.  Complete Assessment

   Use an assessment measure to determine English, Math, or ESOL placement. Visit the Assessment/Placement website for more information.

   If you have taken placement tests or completed courses at a different Institution of Higher Education, please schedule an appointment with a veterans counselor to discuss further.

   Learn More

5.  Meet with an Academic Counselor

   Counselors are here to help you navigate your educational experience and reach your goals. You’ll discuss your educational goal, determine the right courses for you, and create an educational plan to help you map out your academic experience.

   Request an appointment with a Veterans Counselor when you contact the Counseling Department. These Academic Counselors are designated to help student veterans. They are knowledgeable about creating a student education plan that meets VA guidelines for using VA Education Benefits.

   Alternatively, you are able to schedule an appointment with a veterans academic counseling within your Student Success Link (SSL). See the SSL Appointment Instructions.
   
   Bring transcripts from all colleges attended outside of SMCCCD and military transcripts to your appointment. Make sure to ask for a soft evaluation of transcripts and a Student Educational Plan.

   Make an Appointment

6.  Register & Pay for Classes

   View WebSchedule for the most up-to-date course offerings.

   Access WebSMART, your student account, in order to:

   • Access your student email
   • View your assigned registration date/time
   • Add/Drop courses and pay fees (Note: students using VA Education Benefits typically have to indicate that a 3rd party payee will be covering fees for courses in WebSMART. Please speak with the School Certifying Official if you plan to use VA Educational Benefits)

   WebSMART

7.  Submit Transcripts

   Students must submit Official Transcripts from all colleges previously attended outside of SMCCCD (including Joint Services Transcripts) to Transcript Evaluation Service (TES). Students will also need to have a soft evaluation done on all outside transcripts with a Veterans Counselor to ensure they are not taking any repeated courses that they have already completed and passed at outside colleges/universities. Failure to get a soft evaluation of unofficial transcript(s) and failure to submit official transcript(s), could put students at risk of being certified for repeated courses. Students who are certified for repeated courses are responsible to pay back any debt accrued.

   Official Transcripts can be sent electronically from previous colleges to transevaluation@smccd.edu. If the colleges cannot send your official transcripts as a PDF, please have your official transcripts mailed to the below address:

   College of San Mateo
   Attn: Transcript Evaluation Services
   1700 W Hillsdale Blvd.
   San Mateo, CA 94402

   Send in Transcripts

Documents Required for Certification of VA Education benefits- For Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, and 1606:

If you plan to use VA Educational Benefits Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, or 1606, and have identified Skyline College as your Parent School with the VA, you will need to submit the documents outlined below to the Skyline College School Certifying Official Team* through the Student Success Link before your classes can be certified:

(if your parent school is a college other than Skyline College, please work with the School Certifying Official at that college to submit a parent school letter to the Skyline College School Certifying Official(s)*)

---

Required Documents & Forms:

Certifying Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, or 1606 for the First Time at Skyline College:

Not your first semester here? Scroll down.

• Certificate of Eligibility** obtained from the VA after you have submitted the Veterans Online Application 
  • If you have used your benefit at another college and plan to make Skyline College your primary place of training, you may need to change your place of training with the VA. Visit the VA GI Bill webpage here for more information).
• Student Educational Plan (completed with a veterans counselor in Step 5 of enrollment)
  • Only classes listed on your Educational Plan and required for an approved educational goal will be certified. Students using VA Education Benefits must meet with a Veterans Counselor at their parent school to create the Student Educational Plan. Make sure to note you need to meet with a veterans counselor when scheduling an appointment with the counseling department**, and bring copies of transcripts from all prior colleges with you to the appointment (electronic copies preferred).
• Veteran's Certification Request Form: Submit this through the Student Success Link after you have registered for classes. Only classes listed on your SEP and required for an approved program of study can be certified, no repeat courses- SEP and Veterans Certification Request form must be submitted each semester students wish to be certified. Note: The Veteran's Benefits Statement of Responsibility form is now a part of the Veterans Certification Request Form in the Student Success Link.

For questions regarding the certification requirements/process, contact our SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL TEAM via email at: skymilitarycert@smccd.edu

**A note on Certificate of Eligibility: For Chapters 30, 33 and 35 - You will receive the certificate of eligibility from the VA in the mail after you apply for Educational Benefits or change your place of training to Skyline College. For Chapter 31- Submit an award letter, your VR&E counselor will also need to submit a purchase order electronically to the college's School Certifying Official(s)*. If you are a Reservist using Chapter 1606, you will need to submit the Notice of Basic Eligibility.

---

Certifying Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, or 1606 each semester after the first semester attending Skyline College:

• Student Educational Plan (completed with a veterans counselor in Step 5 of enrollment)
  • Only classes listed on your Educational Plan and required for an approved educational goal will be certified. Students using VA Education Benefits must meet with a Veterans Counselor at their parent school to create/ update the Student Educational Plan. Make sure to note you need to meet with a veterans counselor when scheduling an appointment with the counseling department**, and bring copies of transcripts from all prior colleges with you to the appointment (electronic copies preferred).
• Veteran's Certification Request Form: Submit this through the Student Success Link after you have registered for classes. Only classes listed on your SEP and required for an approved program of study can be certified, no repeat courses- SEP and Veterans Certification Request form must be submitted each semester students wish to be certified. Note: The Veteran's Benefits Statement of Responsibility form is now a part of the Veterans Certification Request Form in the Student Success Link.

---

If you are using the CalVet Fee Waiver:

See our page on Educational Benefits for more information

---

Schedule An Appointment with a Veterans Counselor

For information on scheduling a virtual Counseling appointment to meet with a Skyline College Veterans Counselor and updating your SEP visit https://skylinecollege.edu/counseling/index.php#veterans

You can schedule a veterans academic counseling appointment in two ways:

• Schedule directly through the Student Success Link (SSL)
  or
• Schedule through the Counseling Department