working with Advisers in
the following areas:
- Academic Planning
- Campus Resource Referral
- Career Counseling
- Course Selection
- Dropping/Adding Classes
- Certificate Degree Requirements
- Program of Study Exploration
- Registration
- Goal Setting
Students enrolling in Glen Oaks Community College for the first time will be assigned an adviser to work with them personally to achieve their goals. All students who attend Glen Oaks will benefit greatly from working with a professional in our Academic Advising unit to insure that they have developed a clear academic plan and are on track for reaching their goals. Our Advisers are available to provide accurate, up to date course information and will assist students in developing a schedule that will take into account all of their responsibilities both in, and out of college. Career guidance is also available. Advisers are also prepared to assist students who need additional support to reach appropriate community resources.
Students entering Glen Oaks with the intent to transfer must consult with a Glen Oaks Adviser in planning their educational program. Through academic advising, students receive assistance with class selection, transfer information, graduation requirements, and career information. This process enables students to make better decisions to meet individual goals.
New students are required to either take the Accuplacer Test or provide documentation of having achieved the minimum required score on the ACT or the SAT1 assessment. Assessment results will be interpreted by Advisers and used to help in selecting courses.
Some student populations such as dual enrolled and high school guest students, international students, special populations students, students with disabilities, and veterans may be required to meet with an Adviser in order to receive special services.
Curriculum guides for degrees and certificates are available in the Student Services Office and here on the website. These guides will be helpful as students make progress towards their academic goals, but should not be considered a substitute for personal contact with an Adviser.
Career Counseling Services
Degree selection is traditionally based on a person’s career or employment goals. Selecting a degree can be a difficult task if you are uncertain what you would like to accomplish or what type of work you find interesting and meaningful. Aspirations are good indicators of what is important, but aspirations can be overwhelming and confusing when trying to tie them to a specific career pathway.
It takes time and effort to identify, sort and organize plans to obtain your aspirations and career dreams. Taking advantage of every opportunity available to you is the first step in gaining the necessary knowledge to create a plan or successful career pathway. The Career Counselor is available to provide advising, guidance, and testing support to assist with career clarification and choice.
Career planning can be thought of as a journey with many interesting stops along the way. But as with any successful journey, there needs to be a map to follow to reach the journey’s goal.
Advising & Counseling Contacts
Directors
Support Services
for Students with Disabilities
Welcome to Glen Oaks Community College Support Services for Students with Disabilities. Our mission is to serve Glen Oaks Community College students with disabilities by providing the necessary services to allow them equal access to all Glen Oaks community College programs and activities. It is our privilege to provide accommodations and services to eligible students, and to serve as an advocate for students with disabilities.
Need to make an appointment for an intake? Email Karen Webber via her Contact Form.
A wide variety of accommodations are available to eligible students, including, but not necessarily limited to:
- Additional time on quizzes and tests
- Carbonless notebooks
- Digital recorders
- Electronic text books
- Ergonomic chair
- Ergonomic keyboard
- FM sound amplification system
- Hand-held electronic magnifier
- Hand-held standard magnifiers
- Large button calculator
- Large-screen monitors
- Learning station modification
- Note takers
- Print enlargements
- Quizzes and tests administered in a reduced-distraction environment
- Readers for quizzes and tests
- Record lectures
- Screen readers
- Smart pens
- Special seating arrangement
- Spelling aids
- Telephone amplifier
- Use of an interpreter
- Use of a scribe
- Use of a calculator
- Use of a spell checker on quizzes and tests
- Use of a word processor on written assignments
- Voice recognition software
- Zoom Tech Magnification and Screen Reading Machine
There are many services available to students with documented disabilities who are registered with the Support Services for Students with Disabilities office at Glen Oaks Community College.
Who is Eligible to Receive Services?
The provision of disability services in post-secondary education is mandated by two major federal laws: Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and as amended in 2009, and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, 1973.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are links to services and useful information for any students with disabilities:
- ADA
- Americans With Disabilities Act As Amended Text
- Effective College Transition Planning
- Goodwill Industries
- Learning Disabilities Association of America
- Michigan Rehabilitation Services
- Michigan Works!
- Saint Joseph County Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
- Saint Joseph County Literacy Council
- Saint Joseph County Transitions Council
- Students with Disabilities: Preparing for Postsecondary Education – Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
Please review the following rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities, the faculty, and the Office of Support Services for Students with Disabilities:
International Students
Thank you for your interest in Glen Oaks Community College. GOCC is a small, rural community college in Southwest Michigan with an enrollment of about 1,500 students.
International students usually live in apartments or private homes in one of the nearby communities, so reliable transportation is a necessity.
The International Student Packet file includes:
- Thank you letter
- Application for admission (This is an online admissions application)
- International application guidelines
- International student regulations
- International student questionnaire
- Student statement of financial understanding
- Financial statement for international applicants
- Students transferring from another US institution
- Transfer statement authorization
- Statement of local sponsor providing free room and board
- Financial Statement for International Student’s Local Sponsor
- International student miscellaneous information
- International student checklist (F-1 immigration classification)
Occupational
Student Success Program
Student Success Program may be eligible for:
- Financial Assistance for Tuition, Books,
& Fees - Special Equipment
- Financial Assistance for Childcare
- Emergency Transportation Assistance
- Academic Advising
- Personal & Career Counseling
- Career Exploration
- Referral Services
- Registration & Admissions Support
- Peer Support
- Tutoring
The Occupational Student Success Program is open to all Special Population students. Students who are eligible to participate in the Occupational Student Success Program may be eligible for supplemental financial support to pay for any tuition, fees or books not covered by free financial aid and to pay for costs associated with childcare.
Student wanting to be considered for financial benefits must complete the application process, complete and submit a FAFSA, and provide any additional, required documentation as requested. Applications are only available through the OSSP office.
Emergency transportation vouchers and bus passes are also available to OSSP participants. Once students complete the OSSP program application process they are encouraged to talk with the Student Support Specialist about available financial services.
A comprehensive list of possible accommodations for students with disabilities is available upon request. Students requesting consideration for accommodations must provide appropriate documentation and meet with the Disability Support Counselor.
Scholarship Opportunity
Financial Assistance to Pay Cost Associated with Childcare for Parenting Students
Populations Grant Application Guidelines
Check the following guidelines to determine eligibility:
- You must be enrolled in an approved occupational program or course(s)
- You must fit one of the following categories: Single Parent, including single pregnant women, displaced homemaker, non-traditional training and employment participant, economically disadvantaged, academically disadvantaged, and individual with a disability or individual with limited English proficiency.
- You are required to apply for federal financial aid
- Grants are based on availability of funds. According to federal guidelines, those with the greatest need will be given priority.
- Academic progress eligibility requires that students successfully complete 75% of registered classes with a 2.0 GPA or higher to receive the grant.
- All applicants must have completed an Accuplacer test, provided ACT scores and/or the FOCUS II career assessment may be required.
- According to Federal guidelines, those with the greatest financial need will be given priority
TRIO SSS
The TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS) program assists participants who are first-generation college students, meet income-eligibility requirements, and/or have a documented disability.
Based on each student’s needs and goals, TRIO SSS provides services to help participants reach their full personal, academic, and career potential. The program also offers the social and cultural experiences that are an important part of a well-rounded college education. Our wish is to help students recognize their strengths, develop their skills, and achieve their goals.
- Make use of effective success strategies
- Set and pursue individual goals
- Develop a professional and personal network of support
Why Should I Be a TRIO Student?
Am I Eligible?
- Low-Income Student:
- Each year, the U.S. Department of Education publishes income guidelines which define students’ income status based on family size and taxable income.
- First-Generation College Student:
- First-generation college students are defined as students whose biological or adoptive parents did not receive a 4-year college degree.
- Student with Documented Disability/Disabilities:
- A student who has a documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
TRIO Scholars Award
Only TRIO SSS students are eligible for these scholarships, which are awarded as funding allows each semester on a competitive basis. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must meet ALL of the following criteria by the scholarship application deadline:
- Must be a current TRIO SSS participant
- Must have completed a minimum of twelve (12) credits at GOCC and be registered for at least three (3) credits in the upcoming semester
- Have participated in at least one (1) contact with TRIO staff during the previous semester of attendance (i.e. intake, academic advising, career advising, etc.)
- Participated in at least one (1) TRIO SSS on-campus/on-line workshop or have met with TRIO staff to complete a make-up workshop during the previous semester of attendance
- Currently have and maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Have fully completed the application and all required documents/projects (see application packet for details).
- Submit the application packet by the deadline listed on the application
Veterans Services

Glen Oaks Community College participates in the Veteran-Friendly School program. The Veteran-Friendly School program, created by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, recognizes institutions of higher learning for their dedication to student veterans and dependents utilizing their GI Bill and other educational benefits.
Some of the criteria schools were ranked on included having an active student-operated veterans club or association; veteran-specific career services or advising; on-campus veteran’s coordinator and awarding credit based on prior military training and experience. Information about the criteria Glen Oaks met to achieve its ranking is available at the Michigan Veterans website.
- Complete an Application for Benefits online (select “Apply for Benefits”).
- Submit to the Glen Oaks Financial Aid Office a certified copy of your DD-214 (veterans) or an original DD Form 2384 – Notice of Basic Eligibility (reserves); and
- For Chapter 33 (post 9/11) only – you will need to provide to the Glen Oaks Financial Aid Office a copy of the “Letter of Eligibility” with the percentage the VA will pay. Your following semester will not be certified without this document;
- Submit copies of training completion certificates to the Glen Oaks Registration Office (all military training received by the veteran must be evaluated by the Registrar’s Office for college credit). See Evaluation of Transfer Credits to Glen Oaks, Educational Experience in the Armed Forces;
- Request a military transcript online.
- Request official grade transcripts from all previously attended colleges. Transcripts must be received directly from the previously attended college to the Glen Oaks Registration Office.
If the student has received Veterans Benefits for attendance at another college, he/she must:
- Complete the VA Form 22-1995, Change of Program or Place of Training;
- Request official grade transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Transcripts must be received directly from the previously attended college to Glen Oaks Registration Office.
Veterans may be certified for a maximum of 62 hours (the exception being the prior approval of a change of program by the Veterans Administration). This includes any credits earned for military courses training, attendance at other institutions, CLEP scores, etc. accepted for credit at Glen Oaks.
Students who plan to use Veteran Benefits must take the following actions each semester:
- Complete the Request for VA Certification form.
- Enroll* in the Nelnet (FACTS) Deferred Payment Plan for Veterans
*The following information will be required for enrollment:
- GOCC 7 Digit Student ID#
- Date of Birth
- Semester Enrolled
- Form of Payment (checking/savings or credit card)
Recipients of Veterans Benefits are to notify the Registration Office immediately if any of the changes below apply:
- Changes in training programs or credit hour class load; and/or
- Withdrawals/Incompletes from Glen Oaks Community College.
Veteran Academic Advisor