Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) has received a $50,000 grant to fund a new Veterans Reservists’ Special Emergency Reserve Fund (V-SERF) from the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. The grant provides $10,000 over five years.

The grant establishes a dedicated emergency grant fund for veterans at LCCC in the event of a catastrophic personal incident or last-minute changes that cannot be handled by the government-based veterans’ support program.

The V-SERF fund will allow veterans to handle textbook purchases and other pertinent education expenses in the case of an emergency or late, unaccommodated change without the need to repay the V-SERF fund.

Since many veterans have at least some funding going into the year, LCCC anticipates the V-SERF fund should be able to assist at least 20 students annually.

Examples of emergency situations include delays in veteran’s benefits or personal issues such as house fire, medical issues, loss of materials and books because of unforeseen or traumatic circumstances, changes in financial status, and even students left homeless.

Veterans may apply for grants up to $1,000 once per academic year.

For additional information about the multi-year impact grant, contact LCCC’s Office of Returning Adult and Veteran Affairs at 610-799-1545.