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Student Essentials Funding Request

About the Program

You don’t have to navigate a financial hardship alone.
Montgomery College is here to help you take the next step.

MC understands that unexpected challenges can create barriers to a student’s success. If a student is experiencing a hardship that may keep them from completing the semester, the Montgomery College Foundation offers one-time support to help the student stay on track.

Note: The Student Essentials Fund is not a scholarship or financial aid. It is designed to provide immediate relief to students experiencing exceptional need.

  • Student Essentials funds are awarded on a case-by-case basis and depend on available funding.
  • Because funding is limited and comes from the generosity of the Foundation’s donors, priority is given to students who are close to completing their degree or certificate.
  • Per Foundation policy, Student Essentials funds cannot be used to pay tuition, fee, and book charges past-due balances owed to the College.

Student Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for Student Essentials funding, a student must:

  • Be enrolled for the current semester. If you are registered for an upcoming semester, you may apply once that semester begins.
  • Be experiencing a hardship that may keep them from completing the semester.
  • Have applied for all other available resources prior to requesting Student Essentials funds.
  • Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Maryland Student Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) through the MD One App.
  • Have completed the Montgomery College Foundation Scholarship Application.
  • Have completed all outstanding financial aid requirements.

How to Get Started: Application Process

Follow these steps to request support through the Student Essentials Fund.

  1. Meet with a member of your support team - Schedule a Personal Counseling appointment with a counselor, advisor, success navigator, or ACES coordinator. Use this time to talk about your financial hardship and explore your options.
  2. Review your options - During your appointment, your counselor or advisor will review the Student Essentials Fund process, complete a screening, and provide a link to the Student Essentials Funding Request form.
  3. Create a plan - You and your counselor or advisor will work together to create a plan for moving forward and address the situation that led you to request assistance.
  4. Complete your request - Log in to MyMC to complete the Student Essentials Funding Request form. You’ll provide basic personal information, describe your hardship, and indicate the amount of assistance you’re requesting.
  5. Provide supporting documentation - Upload any required or applicable documentation with your request.
  6. Submit your request - Once you submit your request, you’ll receive an automated confirmation.
  7. Watch for a response - Most students receive a response within one week.
  8. How funding is provided - Student Essentials Fund payments are not made directly to students. Montgomery College applies approved funds to your student account or makes payments on your behalf.
  9. Share your thanks - If you receive assistance, you’ll have the option to submit a voluntary, anonymous thank-you letter. With your permission, your letter may be shared with donors who support the Student Essentials Fund.

Types Of Assistance Available

  • The Student Essentials fund can assist with items including but not necessarily limited to: current semester tuition and fees (subject to restrictions), required course materials, rent, utilities, cell phone bills, transportation costs, technology repair costs, certain medical devices.
  • The Student Essentials Fund is prohibited from funding the following items including but not necessarily limited to: child care costs, medical bills, insurance, legal fees, hotel costs, groceries/food, late fees.
  • The award amount will be the exact cost of what the student is requesting assistance with, or $2,000 – whichever is lower.  
  • The Student Essentials Fund will cover one, current month of rent or utility bills.  The student is responsible for paying any past-due balances.
  • Students who are facing immediate eviction will not be able to receive rent assistance towards current housing.  These students are encouraged to request first month’s rent assistance once they have acquired new housing.
    NOTE: an exception can be made on a case-by-case basis if the student provides documentation to prove they have worked out an arrangement to be able to stay in their current housing and have a plan to continue to pay rent.
  • Payments are either applied to the student’s account or made directly to the appropriate company/organization.  No payments will be made directly to students except in the case of reimbursement.  

Required Documents

Students should prepare the following documents in preparation for submitting their request form.  All documents should be in PDF format, no other file type will be accepted. Students will be required to submit documentation applicable to their assistance request.  Please review below so you can be prepared to submit your request form.

  • Housing assistance – Current Lease and a W-9 from your landlord or property management company, and remittance information for where the check should be mailed and to whom it should be made out to.
  • Utilities Assistance – Current month bill that shows current balance due or charges, remittance information, and the student’s account number.
  • Technology or Transportation Repair – Receipt showing proof of payment.

Additional Resources

Students who need additional support beyond the Student Essentials Fund are encouraged to explore the following resources:

Questions

For questions about the Student Essentials Fund Program, contact the Montgomery College Foundation, or schedule a Personal Counseling appointment.

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