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Veterans

Veterans

Proud to serve those who have served

Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv is recognized as a silver-level institution by the . Silver-level colleges provide a high number of veteran-friendlyÌýservices.

Explore the services, support and opportunities provided by Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv to veterans below. Thank you for your service!

LMC's VA Specialist, Becky French, is available to help veterans and their qualifying dependents navigate the process of enrolling and succeeding in college. You can reach her atÌý(269) 927-8749Ìýor by email at bfrench@lakemichigancollege.edu.

Are you fully connected to all of your earned benefits? Call 1-800-MICH-VET for a free benefits consultation.

Use the education benefits you've earned through the GI Bill

If you are interested in using Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), MING-STAP, GI Bill or any other VA educational benefits you may be entitled to, please make sure to speak with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your Military Service before enrolling at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv.

All potential recipients of Department of Veterans’ Affairs educational benefits, whether full-time or part-time, must apply formally for admission to Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv. Interested individuals should and contact the Certifying Official once they receive their certificate of eligibility. For more information contact the VA Certifying Official by email at bfrench@lakemichigancollege.edu or call (269) 927-8749.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at .

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Meet with the Certifying Official
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Veterans' Educational Benefits

If you are interested in using Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), MING-STAP, GI Bill or any other VA educational benefits you may be entitled to, please make sure to speak with your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your Military Service before enrolling at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv.

To use your Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits at LMC, complete the following steps:

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  2. Submit your high school and any previous college transcripts to the Records Office. Official transcripts must be received directly from the sending institution by mail (2755 E Napier Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022) or email to records@lakemichigancollege.edu.Ìý Questions?Ìý Call or text 269-927-8107 or email records@lakemichigancollege.edu.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs requires that, if you are receiving educational benefits, you immediately report any change by email to bfrench@lakemichigancollege.edu in credit hour load, dependency status, address, or program of study to the Veterans Affairs Specialist.

The Michigan State Approving Agency and the Department of Veterans Affairs require Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv to establish academic progress standards for veterans and other eligible persons in order to receive Veterans Affairs educational benefits. Satisfactory academic progress is of primary concern. As an educational benefit recipient, you are considered to be making satisfactory progress if your cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 2.00 or above.

If, as a Veterans Affairs educational benefit recipient, your Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv GPA drops below 2.00, you will be placed on academic probation. During the probationary period, you may continue to receive educational benefits; however, probationary status may not exceed two terms. At the end of the probationary period, if your cumulative GPA still does not meet the minimum graduation requirement of 2.00 or better, a report of unsatisfactory progress will be sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs and you will stop receiving benefits. Certification for further educational benefits will not be submitted until your cumulative GPA reaches 2.00.

If you want your certification for educational benefits reinstated, you are required to submit a written statement to the Veterans Affairs Specialist, which will be forwarded to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This statement must include an explanation of how the cause of your unsatisfactory progress has been corrected.

Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, adds new requirements for educational institutions participating in the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These new provisions became effective June 15, 2021 and apply to Institutions of Higher Learning and Non-College Degree institutions beginning August 1, 2021. Many of the requirements are consistent with the requirements of the Principles of Excellence, currently in ; however, there are .

Schools must provide a covered individual (a student using benefits under chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, or 35 of title 38, U.S.C., or chapter 1606 of title 10, U.S.C.) with a personalized shopping sheet that contains the following - links to LMC's resources follow each item.

  • Estimated total cost of the course that includes tuition, fees, books, supplies and any other additional costs.
  • Other types of Federal financial aid, not administered by VA that is offered by the institution, that the individual may be qualified to receive.
  • Estimated amount of student loan debt the individual would have upon graduation.
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  • Information regarding graduation rates.
  • Information regarding job-placement rates for graduates, if available.
  • Information regarding the acceptance of transfer credits, including military credits.
  • Any additional requirements including training, experience, or examinations that are required to obtain a license, certification or approval for which the course of education prepares the individual.
  • Designated Employees at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv that serve as a primary contact point for covered individuals and family members seeking assistance.
  • Other information to facilitate comparison by the individual about aid packages offered by different educational institutions.
    • This site can be used by students to compare information for up to three schools. Just enter the names of the schools and receive detailed financial information on each one.

    • A consumer planning tool and resource to assist prospective students and their families as they evaluate options in selecting a school.Ìý

    • A Department of Education tool, the College Navigator provides important information like tuition and fees, retention and graduation rates, use of financial aid, and student loan default rates.

    • A helpful tool to explore your potential benefits and research approved education programs.

Veterans' Education Assistance Fund

The Veterans Education Assistance FundÌý(VEAF)Ìýis designed to provide critical financial support for men and women who served as members of the U.S. Armed Forces and who have enrolled at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv. Priority in selection for recipients is reserved for those who, because of special circumstances, need extra financial support beyond that provided by the G.I. Bill.

The fund is intended to recognize that those who have so bravely served our country, often have limited resources, minimal support and are in financial stress particularly during the transition from active duty to civilian life.ÌýThe Veterans Education Assistance Fund is intended to provide a safety net to veterans continuing their education at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv, meeting their unique needs and assisting them to complete their chosen academic programs.

To be considered for Veterans Education Assistance Funds, the student must first meet the following criteria:

  • Student must be an honorably discharged veteran, currently serving in the armed forces or reserves, or a dependent of a veteran or someone currently serving
  • Priority will be given to veterans who, because of special circumstances, need extra financial support.
  • Must be a student in good standing as defined by Financial Aid at the beginning of the semester
  • Must have no other overdue debt to the College
  • Must be an in-district resident
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Student can receive funding once per academic year with a lifetime cap of 2 disbursements.

Financial assistance may be provided from the fund for the following:

  • Tuition not covered by other forms of assistance
  • Temporary coverage for late benefits
  • Books and other essential academic necessities not covered by other forms of assistance
  • Costs associated with tutoring or other counseling and assistance.
  • Items that may assist in accommodating a disability
  • Unanticipated transportation and living expenses that may be barriers to educational success.

The number of students who can be served by the Veterans Education Assistance Fund is subject to the availability of funds.Ìý The fund is sustained by continual contributions from students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the College.ÌýThose who benefit from the fund are encouraged to contribute to the fund, once their education is complete, assisting those who may face similar struggles.ÌýÌý
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    Students who are in need of financial assistance mayÌýsubmit an application and supporting documentationÌýto the Dean of Student Affairs' office.ÌýThe application requires an employee at the college, who is familiar with the student’s situation, to recommend the student and review documentation prior to submitting the application.ÌýFunds are distributed with an average range of $50 to $1500.ÌýApplicants may be required to meet with the dean to discuss their application.

    • Employees recommending students for the VEAF should contact theÌýDean of Student Affairs' office to obtain an application.
    • TheÌýapplicationÌýmustÌýbe completed and signedÌýby the student and the employee,Ìýwith all required documentation attached.
    • Applications should be submitted to the Dean of Student Affairs' office.
    • Processing can take up to eight (8) business days.
    • The Dean of Student Affairs' office will notify applicants via e-mail or phone once a decision has been made.

    Benefits for Veterans at LMC

    • Priority Class RegistrationÌý- Veterans are able to register the Friday before the published first day of registration eachÌýsemester.
    • Liberty HallÌý- Liberty Hall is a resource room and study space located in room C-300 on the Benton Harbor CampusÌýdedicated to students currently serving in the armed forces and student veterans of the armed forces. The room has computers, a printer, TV, couch, microwave, and refrigerator. Contact Veterans’ Affairs at (269) 927-8749 for information about access to Liberty Hall.
    • LMC celebrates our Veterans!ÌýWe provide special recognition at graduation and observe Veteran's Day.
    • Ìýoffers veterans and those in active military a $6 per-ticket discount to Mainstage performances and provides sponsor support to the annual Lest We Forget Veterans' Day concert.

    Other Resources for Veterans

    Veterans Crisis Line

    1-800-273-8255 Press 1

    The crisis line provides free confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones 365 days a year 24/7. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. The line serves Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them.

    Employment Resources

    is a good resource for veterans looking for employment.

    Ready to get started?

    Connect with us! Request more information or apply today, and we'll send you everything you need to begin your journey at LMC.

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