Veterans Services & Support
We are proud to serve those who have served! As you pursue your goals, the VA Certifying Official and the VA Academic Advisor are here to assist you in receiving and using your educational benefits. Service members are encouraged to speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their military service prior to enrolling.
Educational Benefits
Our goal is to provide educational benefit services to eligible veterans, dependents, national guardsmen, and reservists enrolled at LSSC. As a way to honor veterans, priority registration is given to anyone using educational benefits once the first semester is completed.
- Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
- Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35: Dependents/Survivor
- Chapter 1606: Ed. Assistance – Selected Reserve
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Table of Contents
Let’s Get Started!
Complete the Application to become a LSSC student.
Returning students: please complete the free “Re-Entry” application using the link listed above.
Submit Transcripts (required)
All official transcripts, including military, must be submitted from all previously attended schools directly to the Admissions & Records Office prior to the first term of enrollment. Failure to do so will affect enrollment registration.
- Send all transcripts to Lake-Sumter State College, Attn: Admissions Office, 9501 US Highway 441, Leesburg, FL 34788
- High School Transcript Submit an official transcript indicating completion of a standard high school diploma or GED
- College/University/Technical School Transcripts – Submit official transcripts from all prior postsecondary institutions. AP and CLEP scores must be sent directly from College Board.
- Military Service Transcripts Requests usually take only 24 hours for processing. Information about military Joint Services Transcripts and how transcripts may be requested by current and former members of the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.
- Air Force Transcripts Requests
Apply for Financial Aid (optional)
Apply for free PELL Grant funding by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid – FAFSA using LSSC’s school code: 001502 (for all LSSC campuses), which can be used in addition to VA educational benefits.
Submit Official Test Scores (if applicable)
Submit PERT, ACT or SAT test scores, or take the PERT test: www.LSSC.edu/testing
Florida Residency for In-State Tuition
All students whether Florida residents or Non-Florida residents, are considered Out-of-State students until they submit a completed residency affidavit and copies of qualifying FL proofs. Please complete the online FL residency affidavit and proofs here: www.lssc.edu/residency. If you have not lived in FL for at least a year, please complete the Out of State Veterans Fee Waiver for Florida Residency.”
- Log into myLSSC
- Scroll to the Student Resources box and click Student Forms
- Click Case (blue button in top-right corner of screen)
- Select Out-of-State Fee Waiver for Veterans
- Upload a copy of your COE/DD214 and your FL Driver’s License/ID
For Students Using VA Educational Benefits
Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- This can be done by visiting U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Save and email the last page of the online COE application to VeteransOffice@LSSC.edu.
The official COE can take up to 30 days to be mailed. If you have already received your COE, or have received your COE in the mail, please stop by one of the enrollment services offices at any of our campus locations so that LSSC can make a copy, or email a picture/scan of the COE to VeteransOffice@LSSC.edu.
Complete VA Schedule Approval Form via Workflow (Needed each semester for certification, once you are registered for classes). Once you have completed the VA Schedule Approval Form, the VA Academic Advisor will review it to ensure that your classes match up with your degree plan. They will then approve it and send it to the SCO, who will go into the VA system and get your classes certified with the VA:
- Log into myLSSC
- Scroll to the Student Resources box and click Student Forms
- Click Case (blue button in top-right corner of screen)
- Select VA Schedule Approval Form
- Fill and submit
Complete 60-Day Tuition Deferment Form via Workflow (Required each semester for Chapter 31/33, optional for other chapters- once per academic year)- The 60-Day Tuition Deferment Form is used to push the due date of your tuition balance 60 days into the semester, to allow time for the VA to send the funds to you:
- Log into myLSSC
- Scroll to the Student Resources box and click Student Forms
- Click Case (blue button in top-right corner of screen)
- Select 60-Day Tuition Deferment Form
- Fill and Submit
For Active Duty Service-Member Students Using Tuition Assistance TA
Students utilizing Tuition Assistance (TA)should reach out to Financial Aid & Military Benefits Counselor for steps regarding using their TA at LSSC.
On-Campus Resources for Veterans
School Certifying Officials (SCOs) – Assists students with starting their VA benefits at LSSC. The SCOs will certify your program and enrollment each semester, which initiates your VA educational benefits for the semester.
General Questions?
Email: VeteransOffice@lssc.edu
- Andrew Brinkley
(Financial Aid & Military Benefits Counselor and Primary SCO)
brinklea@lssc.edu
(352) 323-3686
VA Academic Advisor – Provides VA students with academic advising to ensure the courses being taken are needed for your degree.
- Mark LaHood (All Campuses)
lahoodm@lssc.edu
(352) 435-5034
VA Resources
VA Education Call Center
For questions regarding eligibility for VA educational benefits, updates on payments, and to update contact information with the VA. (888) 442-4551
Where to apply for your Certificate of Eligibility for VA educational benefits:
Where to find an estimate for costs covered by VA educational benefits:
Local Resources for Veterans
Local VA Outpatient Clinics
The Villages VA Outpatient Clinic
8900 Southeast 165th Mulberry Lane
The Villages, FL 32162
Phone: 352-674-5000
Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling and Outreach Services)
Clermont Vet Center
1655 East Highway 50, Suite 102
Clermont, FL 34711
Phone: 352-536-6701
Other Lake County Veteran Resources
(Assistance with completing applications, appeals, finding what benefits you may qualify for, and answering benefit questions)
The Villages VA Outpatient Clinic
8900 Southeast 165th Mulberry Lane
The Villages, FL 32162
Phone: 352-674-5000
Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling and Outreach Services)
- Clermont Vet Center – Details – 352-536-6701 – 1655 East Highway 50, Suite 102, Clermont, FL 34711
Other Lake County Veteran Resources
- Lake County Veteran Services – Details – 352-742-6585 – 1996 Classique Lane, Tavares, FL 32778
Additional Financial Aid/Scholarship Opportunities for Military-Affiliated Students
Military Spouses
My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program (eligible military spouses)
Veteran Dependents (Children/Spouses)
Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) Scholarship Program (Florida Department of Education)
Students with a 504 or IEP
If you have a 504 or IEP, please contact Student Accessibility Services. At Lake-Sumter State College, we are committed to working with students with disabilities to provide academic accommodations in making Lake-Sumter State College equal access, equal opportunity institution.