Mt. SAC VRC Weekly Update
November 16th - November 20th
Introduction to the Rising Scholars Program
Hello Mountie,
My name is Joe Louis Hernandez, I am the new Coordinator for the Rising Scholars Program. In this role, it is my responsibility to provide support and advocate for formerly incarcerated and system impacted students. I want to help individuals who have been or are on probation or parole achieve their educational goals.
My passion for working with formerly incarcerated students stems from my own experience of having been incarcerated and then having to navigate a complex higher education system in pursuit of a college degree. For me, it started here at Mt. San Antonio College as a TRIO A.C.E.S and EOP&S participant. It was not easy but I am proud to share that I am now in a Ph.D. program. I offer my support to you and want to help promote success in your educational journey at Mt. San Antonio College. For me, this is coming home to where it all started and now, I have the privilege to support our Rising Scholars find success just as I was supported.
What is the RISING SCHOLARS PROGRAM?
The Rising Scholars Program provides support services to current Mt.SAC students who have been incarcerated and are currently on probation or parole. Mt. San Antonio College was awarded a grant, from Los Angeles County, to help transform the lives of those on adult felony probation. Through this funding, Rising Scholars receive the following services:
- One-on-one
- Admissions process
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application
- Scholarship applications
- Transfer applications
- Resume building/editing
- Application to special programs
- Access to
- Tutors
- Counselors
- Peer Mentors
- Other services
- Enrichment Workshops
- Expungement clinics
- Career exploration
- Specialized college tours
- Lounge for computer use, free printing/faxing/scanning, studying or relaxing(currently unavailable due to COVID-19 campus closure)
- What is the criteria to be a part of Rising Scholars?
- Individuals who are on parole.
- Individuals who are on adult felony probation.
- Individuals who were formerly incarcerated as a juvenile or adult.
If you are currently on adult felony probation, parole, or have experienced incarceration at any point in your life and would like to receive extra support, email me at jhernandez222@mtsac.edu or risingscholars@mtsac.edu, call at 626-364-4912 or fill out your information on the following link Rising Scholars Interest Form to receive a follow-up from us.
Request Your Mt. SAC VRC Finals IFAK!!
Help "Mend" Your Grades!!!
The VRC team will be preparing FREE Finals IFAKs filled with tools to aid you during finals week!
Students who complete a request form will receive:
- Snacks
- Finals Supplies
- Mt. SAC VRC Swag
MOUNTIE DRIVE-THRU THANKSGIVING MEAL DISTRIBUTION
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
1:00pm-4:00pm
While supplies last Lot A (Upper Level)
If you are interested, visit:
http://bit.ly/MountieThanksgiving
Deadline for interest form: November 18th
Questions? Contact holidaymeals@mtsac.edu
Veterans, Gold Star Families get free entrance to national parks, refuges, other public lands
Veterans and Gold Star Families will be granted free access to national parks, wildlife refuges and other Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior starting on Veterans Day this year and every day onward.
Entrance fees for the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and standard amenity recreation fees for the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation sites will be waived for Veterans and Gold Star Families. They will have free access to approximately 2,000 public locations spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, which host activities to fit any lifestyle, from serene to high octane, including hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, hunting, stargazing and climbing.
Many Department managed lands have direct connections to the American military, such as frontier forts, Cold War sites, battlefields, national cemeteries, and memorials. These special places pay tribute to our veterans and serve as reminders of their courage and sacrifice throughout the history of our nation, from Minuteman National Historic Park where colonists stood in defense of their rights, to Yellowstone National Park, which was protected from vandalism and poaching by the 1st U.S. Cavalry before the National Park Service was established, to Mount Rushmore where modern warriors attend reenlistment ceremonies.
For details on the program, visit the Official Blog of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Learn the Latest From Veterans Benefit Administration
Learn how VBA’s efforts and accomplishments have made this VBA's #BestYearEver for delivering the benefits Veterans have earned and deserve.
Winter Registration Reminders
REMINDERS FOR GI BILL© Students:
- All classes marked as "Transitioned Online" will be processed as residential given the section was planned as on-campus but changed from resident training to online training due to Covid-19.
- Only classes on your current Ed plan (MAP) on file with the Mt. SAC VRC are approved for certification.
- A VRC Counselor will be available for walk-ins ALL DAY 8am-7pm on the first day of registration.
- Student must submit certification documents PRIOR to the College's "Drop for Non-Payment" deadline avoid being dropped for non-payment.
- Every semester - students must submit the following to the Mt. SAC VRC to continue benefit use:
1. Request for Active Educational Benefits Form *NEW DOC*
2. Copy of Schedule/Receipt (#11 on Student Tab in portal)
- For instructions on submitting your documents, click here.
Any questions, feel free to visit the VRC Team during virtual front desk hours or call/email us. The VRC Team is on-line every day 8am-12pm and on phones 12-4:30pm to assist with registration and document submission instructions.
Veterans Aircraft Fabrication and Assembly Training
Upcoming Informational Session:
November 17th, 2020 @ 1:00 PM
Click on the Link Below To Register on Eventbrite:
*Must be a veteran and resident of Los Angeles County. For more information contact veterans@jvs-socal.org or call (310)623-0558
Make Your appointment today for Your REQUIRED Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) Check-In MEeting
The Mt. SAC VRC is currently offering online services to military-connected students during this time of temporary remote/online instruction. Online Vet Counseling services provide students the opportunity to interact with a Vet Counselor in an online environment.
Virtual Bulletin Board
Important Upcoming Dates
October 1st-November 30th (EXTENDED to 12/4)
California State University (CSU) Transfer Application window
November 1st-November 30th
University of California (UC) Transfer Application window
Helpful VRC Links
VRC On-Line Events This Week
8:00am-12:00pm
$$ MONEY MONDAYS!!!!!!!!!!! VRC WALK-INS W/FINANCIAL AID LIAISON VIA ZOOM
Monday, Nov 16, 2020, 02:00 PM
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VIRTUAL DROP-INS W/VRC ACCESS COUNSELOR
- Establish ACCESS services
- Accommodations (extended test time, shared notes, etc.) Support
- Quick Questions
https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/2183655594
Zoom Meeting ID: 218 365 5594
Tuesday, Nov 17, 2020, 02:00 PM
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VIRTUAL WALK-IN HOURS W/VA REPRESENTATIVE (VSOC-MAURA KAZDEN)
Meeting number (access code): 199 694 0881
Meeting password: 3gpYvhJ33f@
Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)
+14043971596,,1996940881## USA Toll Number
Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020, 08:00 AM
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AFTERNOON CHAT W/CERTIFYING OFFICIALS VIA ZOOM
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/94100976272
Meeting ID: 941 0097 6272
Call-In Number: (669) 900-6833
Thursday, Nov 19, 2020, 02:00 PM
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VRC VIRTUAL FRONT DESK WALK-INS
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93762231156
Zoom Meeting ID: 937 6223 1156
Call-In Number: (669) 900-6833
Friday, Nov 20, 2020, 08:00 AM
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Contact Us
Email: veterans@mtsac.edu
Website: https://www.mtsac.edu/veterans/
Phone: (909) 274-4520