Montgomery College to Use Approximately $525,000 in Additional HEERF Funding to Address Outstanding Balances for Students Who Attended the College During the Pandemic

Initiative Funded by Institutional Portion of Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Awarded to Montgomery College 

Montgomery College (MC) is using approximately $525,000 of federal COVID-19 relief funds awarded to the institution through the U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to cover students’ outstanding balances to the College from the Summer I and Summer II 2020 semesters. It does not apply to debt from student loans. 

The grant will immediately help 764 students who owe an average of $690 for tuition and fees during the pandemic.    

“The pandemic has disadvantaged community college students in many ways—including loss of employment, food insecurity, and inadequate technology,” said Montgomery College Interim President Charlene Dukes. “Access to higher education in this climate is more critical than ever. Ensuring that students can continue to rebuild their lives in this changed environment is part of the mission of Montgomery College.” 

MC used the institutional portion of the HEERF grant, following the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance on lost revenue. In addition, the College is allocating HEERF institutional portion funds to prioritize student and employee health and safety; provide technology for student success; and for faculty and staff professional development to support best practices for remote, hybrid, and face-to-face instruction and student support. 

As of early October 2021, MC has awarded more than $11.5 million for 11,500 student awards since the spring 2020 semester using the HEERF Student Emergency Assistance grant.