The Student Success Fund assists Lake Michigan College students by providing immediate support for students who need emergency financial assistance. Please contact Financial Aid faforms@lakemichigancollege.edu or Susan Eastman at seastman@lakemichigancollege.edu for information regarding the Muhammad & Lonnie Ali Student Success Fund application found here: Muhammad & Lonnie Ali Student Success Fund Application.

Funds are distributed with an average range of $50 to $500, with a maximum award of $500 per request. Lake Michigan College retains the right to determine the amount that each individual may receive. The number of students who can be served by the  Student Success Fund is subject to the availability of funds. The fund is sustained by continual contributions from the Winners Circle Scholarship Fund.

Types of Expenses Covered

• Medications and other costs related to medical care
• General health physicals required for extra-curricular participation
• Student success resources i.e. textbooks, computers, materials, uniforms, equipment, and other essential academic necessities
• Safety needs (i.e., changing a lock)
• Assistance with replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, theft, or natural disaster.
• Unanticipated essential utilities replacement or repair (water, electric, heat)
• Unanticipated child care expense
• Essential vehicle repair
• Tuition, fees, and housing

Types of Expenses Not Covered

• Non-essential utilities (cable, internet service)
• Household costs not related to damage or theft or natural disaster
• Parking tickets and other fines
• Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses
• Expenditures resulting from poor financial management
• Monthly utility bills, vehicle payments, insurance

Eligibility

To be considered for emergency funds, you must first meet the following criteria:

• Your request is not eligible for funding through the Ali Loan Fund.
• Must be a student in good standing as defined by Financial Aid at the beginning of the semester
• Class attendance record will be considered.
• Must have no other overdue debt to the College
• Must be enrolled for 6 or more credit hours at Lake Michigan College within the semester you apply for funds (*exception may apply)
• Demonstrate an immediate emergency that is documented, i.e., invoice, notice of utility turn-off
• You can receive funding once per academic year with a lifetime cap of 2 disbursements.

Application Process

The application must be completed and signed with all required documentation. Processing can take up to eight (8) business days. The office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, will notify applicants via college e-mail or phone once a decision has been made. Checks should be picked up at the Business Office (cashier's window) at the Benton Harbor Campus unless other previous arrangements have been made with other campus locations.

Documentation

Documentation will be required to demonstrate the purpose of the funds, for example:

• If funds are to be used for books, submit cost estimate from the bookstore of the amount needed
• If funds are to be used for vehicle repair, an estimate or receipt is required from a reputable repair shop
• If funds are to be used for another purpose, provide most logical documentation.

If you are unsure of how to properly document your request, see the office of the Vice President of Student Affairs for further guidance.