Financial Aid Office - Santa Monica College Pico Blvd, Santa Monica

Usually not one to write a review but I 100% agree with all of the other reviews. I am a new student this semester, transferring from a public 4 year university to finish a few core classes before transferring again, I sent my financial aid loan in ONE MONTH before the due date yet my classes were dropped. Ive spent 3 weeks tracking down someone who can process my loan (usually it takes one day for the school to respond to the loan). 12 people, dozens of voicemails and emails later my loan is just now being processed. No one besides one person seemed to know what they are talking about, and rarely did anyone ever pick up the phone. I understand this is city college but this place needs to get it together.

I also did not receive any help and had my emails answered weeks later when it was too late.

Terrible. I understand there are exceptional circumstances this year (COVID-19) but it is unacceptable that there is simply no way of reaching the financial aid office at this time. It is September 11, 2020 -- I first emailed the office on July 28 and have yet to hear from the financial aid office. I've attempted to reach the office by phone and email to no avail.

Worst service ever. I hope someone reads this and does something about it to change the finicial aid system at SMC because obviously I am not the only one feeling this way. I waited 2 hours to be spoken to and when it was finally my turn, the guy on the other line was on a call with someone else which is super unprofessional, after waiting so long I would expect a little respect. I didn’t understand him and he got frustrated with me & said “ are you going to listen to me or not” when I was obviously listening to him but I just couldn’t understand what the form he was talking about. He was super rude and unprofessional, he made me feel stupid and I never want to go through that again. Worst experience ever.

DO NOT BOTHER CALLING. I've dealt with this for years and when I was on line in the office, I tried calling to see if these go anywhere. They mute all incomming phone calls or flat out ignore them. But, seriously? You won't pick up phones during your office hours? It's been the same issues for years with Fin. Aid. New building, same issues. I understand how busy it can be with all the students but it's as if they don't look into their current issues and try to solve them. Obviously they need a receptionist for phone calls. No one returns calls. These are financial, time sensitive issues and it should be treated with more care.

Terrible attitudes, and to add insult to injury they’re useless and refuse to give you any specific or helpful information! Just “check your account online”...no kidding I’ve been doing that, why do you think I bothered showing up in person?! Don’t even bother calling, like other reviews say they literally never answer their phones, not once! The staff should be ashamed of themselves. Struggling to do well in college is hard enough, add trying to pay for it plus a salty and miserable attitude on top and I’m hating my life every time I walk out of this office! Good riddance

They never pick up the phone, and there is no way to book an appoinment, sent an email weeks ago but they never replied, last semester I submit documents trhough e- docs but they said that there was a glitch in the system and documents never updated so now I don't know how to submit documents for fall.

They are slow and inefficient. I sent an appeal for my finical aid, after two whole months I called to inquire if something was wrong, my message was never returned. I go to the office to inquire further, they have no real answer other than "we are understaffed." I can understand that, but 2 whole months...has nothing to do with staffing and everything to do with competence. These people just dont care about the students, it is very obvious. If I could I'd give no stars. UPDATE: They now have pdf paperwork that you HAVE to turn-in, in person that is locked for computer editing BUT it HAS to be typed...the people of this office are the most useless you'll find on any campus anywhere.

Terrible workers. The old miserable lady with pixie cut did anything she could to not help us. She didn't even bother to check our documents on file instead asking us to do it on Corsair connect. First of all if I was able to do it online why would I wait in line for half an hour to absorb your disgusting energy?? I came here to fix the non paid fees she said it's done but she did not even do a single thing which made me come back 25 mins later to get it done with another worker!! I don't know what is her name but I'll check next time. I don't know why she hates us or hates herself this much. Maybe she's racist I don't know .She shouldn't be working there

I LOVE SMC, but the financial aid office makes me reconsider. It’s impossible to get ahold of anyone by calling, leaving voicemails or emails. There’s no real information from the coming out or on their website. It’s terrible. Really terrible.