Frequently
Asked Questions
What's
a FAQ?
FAQ is an Internet acronym. It stands for
Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a question about Student
Support Services at Lake Michigan College, this section may help
answer it.
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What is Student Support
Services?
Sometimes it takes a little help to turn a "B"
into an "A" or a "D" into a "C".
The Student Support Services (SSS) program can help you make the
grade through study skills workshops, TRiO Computer Lab, "Early
Alert" progress reports and group study sessions.
Do you have questions or concerns about where and
how to transfer to a four-year school? Transfer campus visits
and planning with the SSS Academic/Transfer
Advisor will help.
Do you want to meet new people? Our service learning
and social/cultural activities provide diverse experiences and
lasting friendships.
Student Support Services is a federal TRIO program
funded by a grant through the U.S. Department of Education. The
goal of the program is to provided support services that increase
the retention, graduation, and transfer rates of first- generation
college students, low-income students, or students with a disability.
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How do I qualify?
You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
You must also meet one of the following guidelines:
- a first generation college student
- a college student defined by federal guidelines as low-income
- a college student with a disability.
Approximately 75% of students who attend Lake Michigan
College are eligible. Start the process by completing the Student
Support Services Application.
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What does first-generation
mean?
First-generation means that neither of your parents
has a four-year college degree.
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How is low-income
determined?
Low-income is based on guidelines published by the
U.S. Department of Education. When you apply to the SSS program,
your income will be reviewed based on the information you submitted
on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you
did not submit a FAFSA, you will be requested to provide your
most recent Federal Income Tax Return or other income documentation.
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Does any kind
of disability qualify me?
Yes, as long as it is properly documented. We've
had past SSS participants with many different physical or learning
disabilities including ADD, ADHD, paralysis, head injury trauma
resulting in short term memory loss, visually impaired students
and participants with impaired mobility.
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How can Student
Support Services help me?
As a qualifying student, SSS can provide an array
of support services
that will help you reach your academic goals and adjust to college
life.
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I get good grades.
Why should I participate in Student Support Services?
SSS provides a supportive environment, not only
for those students who need academic help, but for those who need
other forms of assistance like transferring to a four-year school,
those who would simply like a place to call "home" or
those who want to help others.
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Tell me more
about group study sessions.
Informal group study sessions for Biology
101, English 101, Anatomy 205 and Math 090 are available. Contact
the SSS Educational
Skills Specialist for more information. The study groups
are student lead and are designed to be a time when students can
get together and study, share materials, compare notes and use
the computer lab!
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What is TRiO
Computer Lab?
Located in B200 on the Napier Avenue campus, this
computer lab is run by the Lake Michigan College TRiO
Programs. This lab is open all year Monday - Friday, from 8 am
- 5 pm. During Fall/Winter semesters, the lab is also open Wednesdays
until 7pm and Thursdays until 6pm.
Students use the lab for working on papers, Internet
research, small group study sessions, accessing WaveLink, and
keeping up with what's happening around campus. Computers, a scanner,
television, VCR, CCTV, voice recognition software and software
for students with impaired vision are readily accessible. The
office of the SSS Educational Skills Specialist is located in
TRiO Computer Lab.
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What is "Career
Connection"?
Career Connection is an opportunity for SSS participants
who have successfully completed 24 credit hours or more to network
with a community professional in their career field. See the SSS
Program Director
for more information.
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How do I borrow
a laptop computer?
Laptop computers are available to program participants
for 1 week loan periods. Contact the SSS Office
Assistant to borrow a laptop.
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What other activities
does SSS have?
Transfer campus visits are an opportunity
to tour four-year schools, meet with admissions staff and see
which transfer campus environment fits you best. Visits to four-year
colleges and universities include Western Michigan University,
Ferris State University, Indiana University- South Bend, Grand
Valley State University, and Michigan State University. Other
four-year schools may be visited based on student interest.
Social/cultural enrichment activities
are offered to promote new experiences and provide the opportunity
to develop new friendships.
Service learning activities provide an opportunity
to give back to the greater community through team participation
in the United Way Day of Caring, holiday food basket drive, and
Relay for Life. Check the SSS Calendar
or SSS Newsletter
for all activities.
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Will SSS lend me
money for school?
No. SSS does not lend money. We will provide assistance
in completing your FAFSA
financial aid form and help you work closely with the Lake Michigan
College Financial
Aid Office.
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What is TRiO?
Federal TRIO
Programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed
to motivate and support students. TRIO includes seven outreach
and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income,
first-generation college, and students with a disability to progress
through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate
programs.
Over 1,200 colleges, universities, community colleges
and agencies now offer TRIO Programs. As most programs serve fewer
than 250 students, TRIO staff have an opportunity to work one-on-one
with students and are personally committed to their success. Lake
Michigan College has four TRIO programs, the Educational
Opportunity Center (EOC),Upward
Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services.
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Where can I apply
to be part of Student Support Services?
You can complete an online Application
for the Student Support Services program or pick up an application
at the Student Support Services Office (C207), the TRiO Computer
Lab (B200), the Richard J. Pappas Student Services Center (Napier
Avenue Campus), or LMC M-Tec or Bertrand Crossing Campus. You
may contact SSS at 269-927-8603 to receive an application by mail
or if you have further questions.
The Application is saved in pdf format, and requires the Adobe
Acrobat Reader®, a free program from Adobe
Systems.
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What if I am
not eligible for SSS?
Don't worry. If you are not eligible and you need
academic assistance, there are tutors available through the Lake
Michigan College Learning
Assistance Center. Our staff will help you sign up for tutoring.
We'll also inform you of other campus resources to help you succeed.
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This page was last modified:
February 7, 2008
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