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Veterans

Veterans

Proud to serve those who have served

Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv is recognized as a gold-level institution by the . Gold-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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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:

  1. .
  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.
  3. .

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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 notice. During the notice period, you may continue to receive educational benefits; however, notice status may not exceed two terms. At the end of the notice 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 (VEAF)

The Veterans’ Education Assistance Fund (VEAF) provides financial assistance to help military-connected students overcome unexpected barriers and continue their education at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv. This fund supports students facing immediate financial challenges, including (but not limited to) living expenses, books or course materials, transportation, or gaps or delays in benefits, that may impact their ability to persist.

Students who may access these funds include U.S. military veterans, active-duty or current service members, reservists, and family members of military-connected individuals.

Funding is based on demonstrated need and available resources. VEAF serves as a flexible, student-centered safety net to help military-connected students stay enrolled and on track.

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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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