• November 22 — Begin Spring 2011 priority registration for EOPS, DSPS and qualified veterans on WebAdvisor or phone
• November 25-28 — College closed for Thanksgiving holiday
• November 29 — Begin Spring 2011 registration for continuing students by appointment on WebAdvisor or phone
• December 13-18 — Final exams
• December 18 — Last day of Fall 2010 instruction

It's time to start planning your spring semester classes! Spring 2011 priority registration dates are now available on WebAdvisor and the Spring 2011 Class Schedule is online. As a continuing student, you have earned the ability to register before many others, and with the State budget difficulties continuing to challenge the community college system, it is important that you use that advantage to make sure you get the classes you need. Check WebAdvisor now for your priority registration date and time.

EOPS Applications for Spring 2011 Semester
Applications for Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) are available, in person only, at the EOPS Office now through December 1st. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis from Dec 1, 2010 to Jan 7, 2011. Because space is limited, only completed applications will be accepted. Students should submit their applications as close to the start of the processing date as possible. For more information, please contact the EOPS Office at (925) 439-1281, ext. 3138.

EOPS Program Change
Starting spring 2011, EOPS students will be assigned one of two statuses - full-service or limited-service. Limited-service students will be EOPS students who failed to honor their Mutual Responsibility Contract (MRC) during the fall 2010 semester. Full-service continuing students will be those who fully honored their Mutual Responsibility Contract (MRC) during the fall 2010 semester. All newly-admitted students in spring 2011 will be full-service students. Limited-service students are eligible for all EOPS services except parking permits and book vouchers. Full-service students are eligible for all EOPS services.

CARE and CalWorks
Students interested in CARE (Cooperative Agency Resources for Education) or CalWorks (California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids) are invited to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, December 7 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Both programs will share eligibility requirements and application procedures. For more information, please contact the CARE (ext. 3114) or CalWORKs (ext. 3154) coordinators. CARE/CalWORKs applications and voucher forms are being distributed now.

Student Loans - Be Careful! That's Real Money
Before you apply for and take out a loan, realize it is money that must be repaid. Understand the type of loan you are taking out and its repayment terms. Remember that your student loan can only be used for education costs. Borrow only what you need. Carefully read your loan documents and keep them in a safe place - even if you pay them off. If any of your information changes, such as your name, address, or enrollment status, make sure you inform your lender. Contact your servicer right away if you cannot make a payment. You may be able to temporarily postpone your payments through a deferment or forbearance. Remember that if you fail to repay your student loan, you will face severe penalties. More about the Federal Direct Loan Program

Financial Aid Suspension Workshops
There are no remaining suspension workshops for fall 2010. Check with us once the spring 2011 semester begins for the new suspension workshop dates. Note that the absolute deadline to submit an appeal for fall 2010 is Friday, November 19th.

Financial Aid Lab Hours
This fall, the Financial Aid Lab is located in Room CO-200. During lab hours, students can receive assistance obtaining a FAFSA PIN, completing a new FAFSA or renewal FAFSA, setting up new e-mail access, adding the school code, and using WebAdvisor for financial aid purposes. Lab hours are Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and Thursdays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

General Financial Aid Workshops
These financial aid workshops present all of the financial assistance options available to college students and include hands-on assistance in applying for the student/parent PINs and completing the FAFSA online. Held in the Library, Room L-213. More information

Transition from FFELP to the Direct Loan Program
The Direct Loan process has begun! If you need further financial assistance and you are interested in a student loan, contact the Office of Financial Aid. More information

Do you know what NSLDS means and how it affects you?
NSLDS is the National Student Loan Data System. How it benefits you:

• You can track & manage your student loans and grants online
• Secured site shows amounts and outstanding balances for grants & loans received
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Learn more about NSLDS and what we look at to check your financial aid history, including grants or loans that you have already received.

Assistance League of Diablo Valley Scholarship
Assistance League of Diablo Valley awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors applying to four-year colleges or universities, to community college students transferring with junior level status to four year colleges or universities, and to current-year graduates of the Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program applying to four year colleges or universities, community colleges, or vocational training programs. The deadline to apply is March 4, 2011. More information

Social Justice Film Series: Food Inc.
The Office of Student Life will be screening Food Inc. on Wednesday, November 17th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Library Community Room, L-109. Admission is free and there will be healthy snacks, drinks, and a discussion of the film.

Register Now to Attend the UC Berkeley Student Leadership Symposium
Join a group of LMC students attending the annual Cal Student Leadership Symposium on Saturday, February 5, 2011. This student leadership conference at UC Berkeley is dedicated to bringing together and inspiring student leaders in our community. Through workshops and networking opportunities, Leadership Symposium attendees are connected with essential tools to be agents of positive social change and leaders on campuses and in their communities. The event is free to attend, but space is limited and you must register in advance. To attend, download and complete the UC Berkeley Student Leadership Symposium Registration Form and turn it in by January 27, 2011 to the Student Life Office in Room 800A.

Blood Drive
The Office of Student Life will be hosting a Blood Drive with Blood Centers of the Pacific on Wednesday, November 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Student Life Office at (925) 439-2181, ext. 3266, or [email protected] with your preferred time; or sign up online at www.bloodheroes.com. Click "Donate Blood" and enter Sponsor Code: losMC. You may also walk in and donate without an appointment.

Join the LMC Student Government
The Los Medanos College Associated Students (LMCAS) has positions open for student government senators. Join the student government and help plan fun events, provide valuable services to students, and, most importantly, be the "voice" of your student body. Applications now available

Job Shadow with LMC Brentwood Rotaract
The LMC Brentwood Rotaract Club is sponsoring a job shadowing activity with the Rotary Club of Brentwood this semester. This is a wonderful opportunity to shadow a professional with specific knowledge about a career you are interested in learning more about. Job shadows must be completed by finals week and applicants must be able to commit 2 to 4 hours to shadowing a mentor. Applications are available at the Brentwood Center and on the Brentwood Center Student Services page. For more information, contact Rotaract Advisor Thais Kishi at (925) 439-2181, ext. 6200.

Upcoming Brentwood Center Events & Workshops
Transfer Writing Workshops
Tuesday, Nov 16, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
An opportunity for students to learn about the transfer process and how to write winning personal statements that assist in their acceptance, and that may also be used for scholarship applications. If your intent is to apply and transfer to a UC or a private college, this is a workshop you cannot afford to miss!

Scholarship Representative Visits
Wednesday, Nov 17, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Monday, December 6, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Come meet with the Scholarship Coordinator to find out about scholarships and other resources that may assist in paying for college!

CSU East Bay Representative Visits
Thursday, November 18 and December 2, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
A representative from CSU East Bay will available to answer questions about transferring. Call the Brentwood Center at (925) 513-1647 to make an appointment. More university rep visits

Time Management Workshop
Tuesday, Nov 30, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

email: [email protected]

web: http://www.losmedanos.edu