Middlesex Community College: MCC To Award Students $1.5 Million In HEERF Funding For COVID-19

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

5/20/2021

Dedicated to the success of the whole student, Middlesex Community College helps make college more affordable for students. With funding from the Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) Grant, Middlesex will disburse $1.5 million to students – available as of May 2021. All MCC students – returning and newly enrolled – are eligible to apply for financial assistance.

Funding from the HEERF Grant provides opportunities for students to begin, return and complete their higher education goals throughout the Post-Pandemic Recovery from COVID-19. Students can use the funding to go toward the cost of attendance and student accounts.

“With funding opportunities – such as from the HEERF Grant – Middlesex remains committed to providing an accessible and affordable education to all students,” said Frank Nocella, MCC’s Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer. “We understand the challenges our students have to endure in order to get their education. MCC strives to eliminate these financial barriers to ensure students remain on their paths to academic and professional success.”

Provided by the U.S. Dept of Education, Middlesex has disbursed HEERF funding to students beginning with the outbreak of COVID-9 in March 2020. The college will continue to award HEERF funding each semester through Fall of 2022. This grant follows funding provided by the Federal CARES Act of March 2020, totaling $2 million in student aid.

To further prevent students from having to put their education on hold for financial reasons, Middlesex has frozen tuition and fees for the Fall 2021 semester.

“As an open access institution, Middlesex is in a unique position to help our communities, the Commonwealth and a diverse population of students going forward,” said James J. Campbell, Chairman of the Middlesex Community College Board of Trustees. “In addition to providing access to a high-quality education, flexible course formats and a host of student resources and support services, MCC is finding ways to make learning even more affordable. By freezing tuition and fees, students can focus more on their studies without added financial stress – preparing them for a more lucrative and successful future.”

Current students can take advantage of MCC’s personalized financial aid counseling to set up a payment plan and choose the financial option that works best for them, including applying for grants, scholarships, work studies and loans. In addition to helping students of all ages start and continue their education, these financial aid options also provide a great opportunity for recent high school graduates to save money on tuition from the beginning of their college journey.

To learn more about financial aid and wellness, student accounts, work study opportunities, getting started at MCC, and other student support services at Middlesex, the college’s Office of Admissions is hosting the event Making College Affordable at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/admissions/ for more information.

For more information on the Federal Emergency Grant – and to apply for financial support – visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/financialaid/ or contact financialaid@middlesex.mass.edu. Students can also use MCC’s mobile app to learn more about funding opportunities for the upcoming Summer and Fall 2021 semesters.

In the Fall 2021 semester, MCC will have a mix of teaching and learning formats available with more on-campus classes, services and activities. Beginning August 2, MCC will increase on-campus services in order to enroll students and prepare for the Fall semester. Additional staff will be on campus to assist students. To register, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.