Military Veterans Information

Lehigh Carbon Community College is proud of the military veterans who have served our country. The Montgomery G.I. Bill®, Post/911 G.I. Bill®, and 100% Tuition Paid (National Guard) are several examples of the programs that the government has created to assist veterans in the pursuit of higher education. Applicants with benefits may apply online through the G.I. Bill® website at www.gibill.va.gov.
Transition from military life to college is different than the traditional college student’s transition. To help with this adjustment, an academic advisor is assigned who is an expert in the student’s chosen field of study. Student veterans and military-affiliated students are encouraged to meet with their advisor to discuss their options and strategies for success in the college environment.
In compliance with the DoD MOU, Lehigh Carbon Community College bans and prohibits its employees from providing commission, bonus or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing Service member enrollments. Furthermore, its employees will refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.

Procedures:

• Apply for the G.I. Bill® – Contact Veterans Affairs or your command to find out what tuition assistance you qualify for. Veterans are encouraged to apply for benefits as soon as possible as it may take up to 20 weeks for the Department of Veterans Affairs to process.

• Apply for Admissions to the college online.

• Submit your official military/Joint Services electronic transcripts online for the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. For the Air Force, CCAF submit electronic transcript online.

• Veterans can earn up to 18 credits toward the degree program that they aspire to complete. The college assesses previous military education and experience based upon the recommendation of the American Council on Education.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• Submit completed Veterans Office Certification Information form to the School Certifying Official, if you are using VA education benefits, so your registration can be certified with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Disability Services – Are you a veteran who may need support at LCCC due to a disability? Please contact Educational Support Services at 610-799-1156.

• Contact the Assistant Director of Returning Adult and Veterans for information and resources on veterans at 610-799-1545.

• The Career Development Center provides a variety of services to current students and will assist you with job search assistance, resume and cover letter development and review.

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain in good academic standing. Veterans/reservists/eligible dependents failing to maintain a 2.0 will be placed on academic alert, probation or suspension based upon their GPA. At the end of two academic semesters if the academic standing is below a 2.0, the college can no longer certify your educational benefits for future semesters.

For veterans benefits, full-time status is defined as 12 or more credits per semester. In terms of shorter duration, “training” time is determined by the number of standard class sessions per week. This definition applies to the veterans programs for the education of spouses, surviving spouses and sons and daughters of veterans. Questions about veterans benefits should be referred to the staff in the Office of Registration/Student Records.

PA ACT 11

As required by PA Act 11 of 2015, Veterans and Military Personnel, their spouses, and/or dependent children, may be eligible for reduced tuition rates as outlined below.

• Veterans, their spouses, and/or dependent children, who reside in the Commonwealth of PA will be granted a tuition rate equivalent to the local sponsorship rate. For purposes of this policy, a veteran student is defined as an individual who: (a) Served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component and National Guard, and was discharged/released from service under conditions other than dishonorable; or one who is an active-duty service member; and (b) Resides in Pennsylvania while enrolled at Lehigh Carbon Community College.

• Active military personnel, their spouses, and/or dependent children, who are enrolled online (distance) and who reside outside of the Commonwealth, will be granted a tuition rate equivalent to the local sponsorship rate.

• Any individual who receives VA education benefits under chapters 1606, 1607, 30, 31, and 33, and who resides outside of the Commonwealth, will be granted a tuition rate equivalent to the local sponsorship rate.

• Civilian personnel who work at a Department of Defense facility in the Commonwealth of PA, their spouses, and/or dependent children, will be granted a tuition rate equivalent to the local sponsorship rate.

As outlined above, those who qualify must provide proof of service, which may include one of the following: DD214, current military ID, and/or VA Certificate of Eligibility. Documentation must be submitted here.

Veteran Preference Course Scheduling Policy

Act 46 of 2014 requires public institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to establish and provide veteran students with preference in course scheduling. Noncompliance may be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by submitting the Higher Education Student Complaint Form at education.pa.gov. Lehigh Carbon Community College veteran and military-affiliated students are given course scheduling priority privileges. Veteran and military-affiliated students will be notified of their registration date and process through their LCCC email.

Veteran and military-affiliated students are defined as those students in the following categories:

1. Is a veteran.

2. The student has served in the United States Armed Forces including a reserve component or National Guard and was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable.

3. The student has been admitted to a public institution of higher education.

4. The student resides in Pennsylvania while enrolled in the public institution of higher education.

A veteran or military-affiliated student will be required to provide proof of their military services by either providing their DD214, discharge papers, military orders, etc.; if utilizing G.I. Bill® benefits many may have submitted supporting documentation.

Veteran and military-affiliated students who are given course scheduling privileges will be able to begin registration one day earlier than our regular students. Refer to our regular scheduling timeline as defined by the Executive Director of Registration/Student Records.

Course Scheduling Preference

The regular registration scheduling timeline is on the college website and is available to all students and is published three weeks prior to the beginning of the registration period. Students will be identified in our student information system Banner, and notified of the registration procedures two weeks prior to registration.
Information concerning this will be available on the college website, college catalog, and LCCC Veterans portal.
All inquiries relating to priority course scheduling should be directed to the Executive Director of Registration/Student Records.

Veterans Benefit Transition Act of 2018

LCCC will not impose any penalty including the assessment of late fees, academic holds, or the requirement to borrow additional funds on any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 due to the delay of disbursement of funds from VA.

ROTC

Students at LCCC are eligible to participate in Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs. All ROTC courses are held on the Lehigh University campus in Bethlehem. Interested students should contact the Department of Military Science (Army) at Lehigh University. For more information, email armyrotc@lehigh.edu.