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Santiago Canyon College answers the call of duty for veterans

March 16, 2026

Community colleges play a significant role in helping military veterans transition from service to civilian life and higher education. Santiago Canyon College is no exception, assisting veterans with financial guidance, veteran-specific orientation programs and career advising, peer mentorship, disability support and more.

In fact, year in and year out, SCC has gone above and beyond the call of duty, earning the “Gold-Level Military Friendly School” recognition by Military Friendly, a national veterans-support nonprofit, placing it among the top-performing colleges in the country for veteran support. This ranking is based on such factors as retention and graduation rates, job placement outcomes, financial support programs and the overall quality of student veteran services. The ongoing help also includes community outreach in support of student veterans. For example, SCC’s Veterans Resource Center recently hosted staffers from the office of Lou Correa, the U.S. representative for California’s 46th congressional district. They discussed several key issues, including a bill before the House of Representatives that aims to change how the monthly housing stipend is calculated for veterans who pursue their education solely through online learning.

Currently, student veterans enrolled in online classes receive only 50% of the federal monthly housing allowance, compared with student vets who take at least one in-person college class. If the Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act (H.R. 3753) passes, this 50% limitation would be removed, and fully online students would receive the same housing stipend as the others.

“Right now, because of the zip code where our college is (one factor in the federal payout calculation), in-person students here are awarded close to $3,800 a month,” said Adam McManamy, adviser of the Student Veterans of America’s SCC chapter and student services coordinator of TRiO Veterans, another support resource on campus. “But for online students, they receive half of the national average, which is only around $900. That’s because that national average isn’t close to what in-person student veterans receive in this local zip code.”

SCC business administration major Celina Busbee, a Navy veteran, is among the thousands of students throughout the country affected by this limitation. “Since I rely on the GI Bill for income, I have to take in-person classes. The (online-only) option isn’t financially feasible. But if the bill were to pass, it would give me a lot more flexibility as a mother; it would allow for a dramatic change in my path.”

This online-only limitation is particularly stressful during intersession periods, the gaps between semesters every winter and summer. “Getting a physical class on campus at this time can be very difficult, since during these short periods, the number of classes offered is severely limited,” said Marine veteran and English major Tyler Rodriguez, vice president of SCC’s Student Veterans of America chapter. “And during these shorter periods, the in-person classes are pretty much every weekday, which is even more limiting.”

While Santiago Canyon College serves the entire student population, campus leaders remain aware of how student veterans must deal with the unique stresses related to shifting from military to student life. For example, many keep on-campus resources – including the Veterans Resource Center, Student Veterans of America and TRiO Veterans – up to speed in terms of in-person classes.

“Some of the deans in particular are aware of the criteria that the veterans need, so they’re always helpful in letting us know when in-person classes are open,” McManamy said. “And many of the professors are pretty good with this as well.”

Staff members from the office of U.S. Rep. Lou Correa meet with student veterans andmembers of the Santiago Canyon College Veteran Advisory Council during a listening session Jan. 30 at the SCC Veterans Resource Center. (Photo courtesy of RSCCD Communications) — Staff members from the office of U.S. Rep. Lou Correa meet with student veterans and
members of the Santiago Canyon College Veteran Advisory Council during a listening session
Jan. 30 at the SCC Veterans Resource Center.
(Photo courtesy of RSCCD Communications)

SCC maintains its top reputation in the student-veteran community for several reasons. The college goes far beyond helping with enrollment and GI Bill paperwork, taking a holistic approach to student veteran support by addressing academic, financial, health and social needs for veterans as well as their family members and dependents. In addition, the college has partnered with Outside the Wire, a counseling program administered by U.S. Vets that provides on-site mental health services for veterans and their loved ones. Veteran peer support and peer mentorship remain paramount on campus. And SCC created the Soldiers to Scholars Fund, which furnishes scholarships, book vouchers, emergency grants and more.

Both Rodriguez and Busbee remain grateful for the support that Santiago Canyon College provides for veterans. “Being on campus and working at the Veterans Resource Center has been amazing,” Rodriguez said. “Our office is looking more like Grand Central Station every day. More and more veterans come in, hang out and study. It’s a great environment.”

“It’s not just a job for the staff here at the college, it’s a passion,” Busbee said. “They really enjoy helping the veterans and providing resources. I didn’t know what my path was before coming to SCC, but now I know I want to help other veterans, since being here has really changed my life.”

Santiago Canyon College answers the call of duty for veterans Orange County Register

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