Empowering Student Veterans at UCLA

Who We Are

The Student Veterans’ Association at UCLA (SVA @ UCLA) is a student-led organization dedicated to supporting veterans and military-connected students as they transition from military service to academic and civilian life. Our members represent all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and bring with them leadership, discipline, and a deep commitment to service—qualities that strengthen the UCLA community as a whole.

SVA @ UCLA exists to ensure that student veterans are not navigating UCLA alone. We provide advocacy, professional development opportunities, peer mentorship, and a welcoming community where veterans can find belonging and support. Our organization also serves as a bridge between student veterans and the broader university, working to ensure military-connected students are represented, heard, and supported across campus.

Our goal is simple but vital: to help student veterans succeed academically, professionally, and personally while ensuring UCLA remains a campus where those who have served can thrive.

The Need: Why Your Support Matters

Transitioning from military service to a world-class academic institution like UCLA is not always seamless. Student veterans often face unique challenges that differ from those of traditional students, including navigating complex VA education benefits, adjusting to academic culture after years of service, managing financial pressures, and preparing for careers beyond the military.

As a student organization, SVA @ UCLA receives limited institutional funding and relies heavily on donor support to sustain its work. Without additional resources, opportunities for leadership development, national advocacy, and professional growth for student veterans become limited.

Fundraising is essential to ensure that student veterans can represent UCLA at state and national advocacy conferences, access career-building opportunities, and build a strong, connected community on campus. These experiences are not luxuries—they are critical investments in students who have already served our country and are now preparing to lead in civilian life.

How Your Gift Makes an Impact

Reaching our fundraising goal will directly support programs and opportunities that strengthen UCLA’s military-connected community. Your donation allows us to move from simply surviving as an organization to building long-term, sustainable impact.

How Funds Will Be Used (Budget Breakdown)

Every contribution—no matter the size—plays a role in expanding opportunity, representation, and support for UCLA student veterans.

Why This Matters — To UCLA, Society, and You

Supporting SVA @ UCLA strengthens UCLA’s commitment to inclusion, leadership, and service. Student veterans bring invaluable perspectives shaped by global experience, teamwork under pressure, and public service. When veterans succeed, they enrich classrooms, research spaces, and campus leadership.

For society, your gift supports the successful reintegration of veterans into civilian and professional life—helping prepare future leaders, public servants, scientists, educators, and professionals.

For donors, this is a tangible way to honor service and invest in people who have already demonstrated commitment to something greater than themselves.

Join Us!

Your support ensures that student veterans at UCLA are empowered—not overlooked—and equipped to succeed long after graduation. We invite you to stand with us in honoring service, fostering leadership, and strengthening UCLA’s military-connected community.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE UCLA FOUNDATION'S DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS FOR DONORS

Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.