Battle Creek, Mich. — Western Michigan University and Calhoun County Veterans Affairs signed a memorandum of agreement for a new scholarship available to Calhoun County veterans pursing higher education.
This is the second scholarship available to County veterans. The other is available at Kellogg Community College and was recently awarded to its second recipient.
The distribution process is managed by the respective college. The WMU scholarship will take 1-2 years to accrue interest before it's available to students.
Funding for both scholarships comes from the Calhoun County Veterans Affairs millage, specifically from the millage fund balance. Application submission deadlines are determined by each school.
Aaron Edlefson, Director
of the County Veterans Affairs department, hopes that these scholarships remove barriers that veterans often face when pursuing higher education.
He says, "
We want Calhoun County to be known for its commitment to its citizens and its innovative approaches to serving them. The Veterans Millage speaks to the support that Calhoun County residents have for their veterans, support that is immensely appreciated by veterans throughout the county."
Eligibility criteria for both scholarships:
- Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge from the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force or Honorable discharge from any previously mentioned Reserve or National Guard component following completion of initial obligation;
- Current resident of Calhoun County;
- Currently enrolled at Kellogg Community College or Western Michigan University either full or part-time in a degree or certificate seeking program;
- Students who are not in their first semester must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher;
- Not eligible for any 100% tuition paying VA educational benefits;
- Must demonstrate financial need
