St. Clair County Community College’s Veteran Services Coordinator Dawn Hestand provides assistance navigating the federal and state programs used by SC4’s veteran and active-duty students.
Dawn Hestand may be reached by calling 810-989-5643 or dhestand@sc4.edu with any questions.
All military connected veterans or active duty personnel attending SC4 will need to request a Joint Services Transcript (JST) for evaluation. Students who have served in the Air Force or Air National Guard will need to request their military transcript from the Air University (Air Force and Air National Guard will be required to pay postage).
Each semester a veteran or tuition assistance student registers for any classes, they must submit the ‘Office of Veterans Services Class Certification Request’ form. This form is the only way that the Veteran Services office knows that an active duty or veteran student wishes to use their VA or TA benefits.


If a veteran or tuition assistance student is pursuing a dual program, the ‘Office of Veterans Services Request for Multiple Programs’ form must be submitted with the class certification request form.
Federal benefits
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
State of Michigan benefits
Resources for Veterans
Apply for educational benefits at VA.gov.
Veterans Crisis Line
- Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
- Text message to 838255
- Online chat at veteranscrisisline.net/chat
Women Veterans Hotline
- Call 1-855-829-6636, which connects to the Center for Women Vets
- Visit their web site by clicking the link for the Center for Women Vets.
State and local Veterans agencies
- Connect with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for veteran-related news, information on veteran services and resources in Michigan. Learn more at michiganveterans.com.
- The St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs website provides information about veteran benefits for veterans residing in St. Clair County. The office can be reached at 810-989-6945. Always leave a message; they will call back, or sccvet@stclaircounty.org.
Campus resources for SC4 student veterans
- Anne McPherson, MS
Coordinator of Academic Success and Disability Resources
810-989-5558
amcpherson@sc4.edu
Located in the Achievement Center, appointments can be made online. - Brenda Rinke, MA
Director of Academic Success
810-989-5566
brinke@sc4.edu
Helps create student academic plans to assist in managing a student’s hectic schedule. The Achievement Center provides tools and resources for student success. Appointments can be made by walking in and scheduling an appointment. - David Goetze, MA, LLP, NCP
Director of Behavioral Intervention/Advising and Career Specialist, Adjunct Instructor of Psychology
810-989-5552
dpgoetze@sc4.edu or bestservices@sc4.edu
Students are able to meet with one of the professional staff members that are part of the BEST Team (Behavioral Education Success Team). The BEST staff members are able to address student veterans needs. - Dawn Hestand, BBA
SC4 Veteran Services Coordinator
810-989-5643
dhestand@sc4.edu
Assists with veteran educational benefits, ordering JSTs and helps match up student veterans with local and state services.
PL 115-251 compliance:
Any individual using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation®), or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of Title 38, United States Code, and/or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the State of Michigan while attending St. Clair County Community College will be charged in-State tuition (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) compliance:
St. Clair County Community College complies with Title 38 United States CodeSection 3679(e) under which covered individuals (i.e. any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits) can attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapters 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” also can include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for Chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
- The date on which payment from the VA is made to the institution.
- 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.
St. Clair County Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, or any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of funding from VA under Chapters 31 or 33.
Covered individuals wanting to use their educational benefits at St. Clair County Community College are required to submit to the School Certifying Officer a completed and signed Request for Certification Form (available via the link provided and at the Veterans Services office in the Welcome Center building). Additionally, covered individuals may be required to provide additional information as necessary to properly certify enrollment.