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St. Clair County Community College

Veterans services

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.

Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials 2020 member
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Silver

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

Dependents of 100% disabled or deceased Michigan Veterans

Resources for Veterans

Apply for educational benefits at VA.gov.

Veterans Crisis Line

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

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, or by walking in and making an appointment.
  • 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.

Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill® is a housing allowance-only benefit. Students are expected to pay for their own tuition and books. Veterans using this benefit are paid a housing allowance for the days/weeks they are attending classes.

Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)® – Veterans are approved through the Vocational Rehabilitation process. The closest VR&E location is in Macomb County. Appointments can be set up by calling 586-469-5315. Once a veteran has been approved for funding, that funding will pay for tuition, books, and required supplies, as well as a housing allowance for the days/weeks when the student is attending classes.

Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill® – For qualifying veterans, the Post 9/11 GI Bill will pay tuition, a book stipend, and a housing allowance for the days/weeks when the student is attending classes.

  • Chapter 33 has a transfer of eligibility (TOE) option for a veteran to transfer the benefit to a spouse or dependent child.
  • Chapter 33 also includes the Fry Scholarship option for dependents of a deceased military parent who passed away due to duties in a hostile environment.

Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ educational benefit® – This benefit is for spouses and children of deceased or 100% disabled veterans due to service related death or injury. Some Chapter 35 students also may qualify for a CVTG benefit.

Chapter 1606 – Selected Reserve, Montgomery GI Bill® – Is a housing allowance-only benefit. Student are expected to pay for their own tuition and books. Veterans using this benefit are paid a housing allowance for the days/weeks they are attending classes.

WAWF TA – Active duty service members in the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard – TA is a tuition only benefit.

Army & Air Force TA – Active duty service members in the Army or Air Force – TA is a tuition only benefit.

MING STAP – Michigan Army and Air National Guard – Members can receive a tuition only benefit for up to $6,000 per academic year.

CVTG – Michigan Children of Veterans Trust Grant® – Children of deceased or 100% disabled Michigan Veterans may receive a tuition benefit up to $2,800 per academic year for up to 4 years.

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:

  1. The date on which payment from the VA is made to the institution.
  2. 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 in 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.