Academic Support
Montgomery College offers academic skills workshops, counseling and advising, tutoring, and other programs to help students improve skills in studying, test-taking, overcoming math anxiety, and time management, to name a few. Services are available in a variety of learning centers at each campus.
Assessment
Students must demonstrate their skills in English (or ESL, depending on language background), and mathematics upon admission to the College so they may enroll in in courses matching their academic skill levels. Students may be exempt from assessment if they can provide documentation that they have completed appropriate college coursework or have sufficiently high scores on standardized test instruments such as the SAT, ACT, or TOEFL. If such documentation is not available, students may utilize alternate placement measures, such as high school GPA or our placement process. The centers provide testing services for students who need to take make-up examinations, those enrolled in Distance Education courses, and students with disabilities who need special accommodations.
Locations and Contact Information:
Germantown: Student Affairs and Science Building, Room 132; 240-567-7739
Rockville: Campus Center, Room 014; 240-567-7459
Takoma Park/Silver Spring: Student Services Center, Room 323B; 240-567-1555
Athletics
Montgomery College Athletics offers intramural sports and 9 intercollegiate varsity teams as a Division I (Men and Women’s Soccer and Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field) and Division II (Baseball, Men and Women’s Basketball, Softball, Women’s Volleyball) member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Region XX, and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference (MDJUCO). Many student athletes transfer to 4 year institutions to further their academic and athletic endeavors. For further information, please contact The Athletics Department at 240-567-7593 or visit our website at www.mcraptors.com.
Bookstores
The Follett Higher Education Group operates Montgomery College Campus Stores on all three campuses. New and used textbooks, rentals, eBooks, and additional classroom materials are available in the stores. Our website also features online sales of course materials that are available for delivery to your home or for pick-up at your campus store. Please visit the MC Campus Stores website for hours of operation.
Each store offers reference books, study guides, and best-sellers. Books still in print may be special ordered. Other merchandise is available, such as art materials, school supplies, medical and laboratory supplies, and calculators. Textbook buyback may be done in the stores at the end of each semester.
Montgomery College clothing and memorabilia, gifts, health & beauty items, technology and Apple products, and snacks are available in all stores. Gift cards, and order information on class rings and nursing pins are also available.
Students may visit the Montgomery College Campus Stores website to research all services available, to view course material and textbook selections, and to place orders online. For more information, to access these services, or to contact the Campus Stores staff at http://www.shopmontgomerycollege.com.
Career Coach
Career Coach is a valuable online tool that can help you find a career based on your interests and identify the Montgomery College programs that will get you into that career. It will also give you the opportunity to explore hundreds of job possibilities in Maryland and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Career Coach provides you with a brief employment analysis of the selected job, including how many are employed in the area, the estimated number of annual job openings in this career, and breakdown of worker demographics by age. We offer it as a free service to our current and future students, and members of our community. Visit the website https://montgomerycollege.lightcastcc.com/ and learn more.
Center for Early Education
The Center for Early Education (CEE) Lab School is a premier learning community designed to engage and inspire young children three to five years of age. We provide innovative play-based classroom experiences to equip young learners in social-emotional development and academic enrichment. From expressive arts programs, year-round S.T.E.A.M explorations and language study, the CEE Lab School is an amazing program for your child to learn and grow.
The Center for Early Education (CEE) Lab School program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a participant in Maryland Excels and a member of the International Association of Lab Schools. As a Lab School, we support the Montgomery College School of Education as a model of best practice in child development for student teachers and faculty. Enrollment is open for MC students, MC employees and the community. We provide several childcare tuition scholarships for MC students each year. The center is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For more information, visit our Center for Early Education Lab School website or contact us at (240) 567- 204l.
Counseling and Advising
Counselors help students make educational, transfer, and career decisions to progress toward their individual goals. They also assist students in planning to complete certificates or degrees from the College and prepare to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Counselors also teach student success (STSU) courses, such as the First Year Seminar, and offer interventions and support when students need help.
As an MC student, you can access general counseling and advising, as well as program advising particularly targeted at your major for support with academic planning. Academic planning is the process of setting your educational goals and determining the best path to meet them. It is critical that you play an active role in this process from start to finish during your time at Montgomery College.
Students are encouraged to seek out counseling and advising throughout the academic year, instead of only during registration periods. Students who see the same counselor and/or advisor benefit by setting clear academic goals that are reviewed periodically.
Locations and Contact Information:
Germantown: Student Affairs and Science Building (SA), Room 250; 240-567-7734
Rockville: Student Services Center (SV), Room 206; 240-567-5063
Takoma Park/Silver Spring: Student Services Building (ST), Room 233; 240-567-1480
Counselors are available collegewide in-person, and via email and chat. Hours of operation, options to meet with a counselor, and instructions may be viewed from the Counseling and Advising page at www.montgomerycollege.edu/can.
Program Advisors are available collegewide. Contact information is located on the Academic Program Advising by Major page at www.montgomerycollege.edu/academics/program-advising/index.html
Student Success (STSU) Courses
Counselors teach courses that ease the transition to college and provide tools for developing academic and life skills. In these courses, counselors focus on strategies to help students become successful by assisting students in developing plans to reach their academic and career goals. Student Success courses are designed to meet students’ diverse academic needs and interests. Courses to help transition to college include First Year Seminar (STSU 100 ) and Seminar for International Students (STSU 101 ). These two courses, in particular, are an important component of the First Year Experience activities, and all first-time college students are strongly encouraged to take one of these courses. Courses in Study Habits Development (STSU 110 ) and Building Math Confidence (STSU 112 ) focus on building skills and Memory Development (STSU 114 ) teaches students how to learn and practice steps to develop a healthy memory. Career Development: Dynamics and Application (STSU 120 ) covers how to choose, plan, establish, or change career fields. Principles of Academic Success (STSU 122 ) helps students who have a history of academic and personal issues develop behavioral strategies to improve overall success. Introduction to Student Leadership (STSU 200 ) is an experiential course that provides an overview of leadership fundamentals and theory, emphasizing peer leadership. Happiness and Wellbeing (STSU 124 ) offer students practical and researched strategies and activities for tapping into and nurturing their happiness and well-being. Mindfulness and Resilience in College (STSU 102 ) introduces students to evidence-based mindfulness practices and activities that, when applied to dimensions of life and study tasks, improve academic success and build resiliency.
Disability Support Services
Montgomery College is committed to radical inclusion and creating learning environments that are accessible and inclusive for all students, including those with disabilities. Accessibility is not only required by law; it is the right and smart thing to do.
DSS leads the effort to promote full participation and equal access to educational opportunities, programs and campus activities. DSS provides accommodations and support services for students with disabilities and educates the larger College community on disability related issues. When we celebrate and empower diversity at Montgomery College, we recognize and value disability as a distinct aspect of our diverse community.
DSS counselors advise students and provide academic, career, and short-term personal counseling. They determine and facilitate appropriate academic and technological accommodations, act as liaisons with College resources and external agencies and consultants, and provide referral services for students with disabilities.
Services
Students self-identify and are encouraged to contact DSS as soon as possible after admission to the College. DSS counselors meet with students to identify academic adjustments and/or accommodations. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and may include extended time on tests, note-taking assistance, sign language interpreting services, and alternative formats for printed materials. Each campus offers assistive technology, including computers with disability-specific software and hardware, voice recognition and synthesizers, print magnifiers and scanners, large print, and Braille, as well as individual tutorial support.
Arranging for Services
New students complete an online intake form, meet with a designated DSS counselor for an initial intake, and submit documentation to determine accommodations and services. Once accommodations are determined and the accommodation letter is generated, the student is responsible for providing the letter to each of their students. Returning students requesting accommodation letters need to fill out the online semester request form at least two weeks before the beginning of each semester in order to ensure timely implementation of services. Accommodations may be requested at any time, but are not retroactive. Students are encouraged to maintain regular contact with their DSS counselor for guidance and assistance.
Campus locations and contact information are as follows:
Germantown: Student Affairs and Science, Suite 250; 240-567-7770
Rockville: Student Services Center, Suite 305; 240-567-5058
Takoma Park/Silver Spring: Student Services Center, Suite 233; 240-567-1480
Workforce Development and Continuing Education: Campus Center (Rockville Campus), Suite 204; 240-567-4118
For more information on the application steps and DSS services visit: www.montgomerycollege.edu/counseling-and-advising/disability-support-services.html
First Year Experience
The first year of college is an exciting and challenging time where you will experience academic and personal growth. The mission of the College’s First Year Experience Program (FYE) is to connect first year students to Montgomery College by educating students on services and resources, empowering students to make their move toward their goals using informed decision making, engaging students in Montgomery College and the community, embracing students by meeting them where they are, exciting students through the experience we provide in their first year, enriching students’ lives by providing, promoting and supporting learning opportunities that will help them grow personally, professionally and academically and exploring opportunities so students can discover who they want to be and plans they can make to realize their dreams.
The College’s First-Year Experience (FYE) program includes New Student Orientation, the Summer Bridge Program (First-Year Seminar for students who attend in the summer), and workshops and programs throughout the year.
The First Year Seminar - STSU 100 or STSU 101 for International Students will help new students learn the expectations for a college student and the skills to enhance their potential for success, time management, successful studying, and the development of an individualized education plan. They will learn about the higher education system, the purpose of general education, personal development, and career planning. This course should be taken either the summer before or during a student’s first semester of attendance.
For more information, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/fye.
Food Services
CaféMC locations and vending machines on each campus offer a variety of food, snacks, and beverages. For more information on CaféMC operating hours and menu offerings, visit the website www.montgomerycollege.edu/food. For vending machine locations, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/vending.
Housing
Students are responsible for their own living accommodations. The College does not approve or maintain housing facilities.
International and Multicultural Students
Counselors on each campus advise international and multicultural students from diverse cultures, including various ethnic, geographic, and language backgrounds. Students whose first language is not English can obtain specialized counseling, advising, and programming throughout the year. In addition, international students should consider taking STSU 101 - Seminar for International Students. This orientation course for international students includes study skills, academic regulations, the American educational system, individual educational and vocational goals, communication skills, and American customs.
For more information, please visit any campus’s Counseling and Advising department.
Library
The Montgomery College Library provides quality resources and services to support the programs of the College and to meet the learning and information needs of students, faculty, staff, and community members. Library employees are available to assist users with research, technology, and access to the library’s resources. Librarians can help users develop a research topic, find relevant sources, evaluate sources, and cite sources. This support is available via text message, 24/7 online chat, phone, walk-ins at the library service desk, and by appointment, either online or on Zoom. Learn about all our support options on our Get Research Help webpage. Users can also get help with research in various subject areas and preparing for courses and assignments with the library’s online subject and course research guides and tutorials, all available on the website. All library locations offer a variety of study environments to fit diverse learning styles, including collaboration spaces, quiet zones, and private group study rooms.
The library maintains numerous computer workstations for College and community users. In addition, the library offers laptops and tablets for students to check out and use in the library. Students and employees may use the library One Button Studios for easy video creation. Student use of these services takes priority. Assistive technologies are available for users with special needs.
The library offers textbooks, e-textbooks, and other course materials required for many MC courses through the course reserves program. Students can inquire about their textbooks at the service desk, search by title, author, or class in RaptorSearch, or click on Library Course Reserves in their Blackboard course menu. Course reserves materials may be checked out for two hours at a time and used in the library buildings. Electronic reserves are available 24/7. High-speed scanners are available for students to scan their assignments and go.
The library provides 24/7 access to hundreds of thousands of e-books, e-journals, and streaming media covering all subject areas and over 200 academic databases to assist with coursework, many containing full-text articles. In addition, MC Library’s print collections cover all disciplines. MC Library maintains a select collection of historical materials and memorabilia related to the history of the College. Any request for information about these materials may be directed to Beth Thoms, collection development librarian, at beth.thoms@montgomerycollege.edu. Finally, the library offers best-selling books and e-books, streaming popular films, and a variety of print and digital newspapers and magazines for users to enjoy.
Most resources, including books, e-books, articles, and media, can be accessed through the library’s search engine, RaptorSearch, and library’s website. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service is available to provide resources the library does not own by borrowing them from other libraries. Users can make ILL requests using the form on our website. The library also offers an Inter-Campus Loan (ICL) service to deliver resources from one campus library to another.
Those with a valid student identification card or a community user’s card may check out materials for use outside of the library. Students registered for the current semester may use the library’s electronic resources from outside the library via the library’s website. Audio or video materials may be viewed online or at any library location and most are available to faculty for classroom instruction.
For more information, please visit the Montgomery College Library website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/library, use our librarian chat service for 24/7 research help at https://libfaqs.montgomerycollege.edu, or call one of the campus locations:
Germantown, Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Suite 110; 240-567-7858
Rockville, Macklin Tower, Suite 110; 240-567-7117
Takoma Park/Silver Spring, Pavilion 1, first floor (temporary location while Resource Center is under construction); 240-567-1540
Military and Veteran Services
Montgomery College is a military- and veteran- friendly institution, recognizing and supporting the contributions that our students make outside the classroom as active duty service members, guardsmen, reservists, veterans, and dependents. To that end, the College assists the military community in reaching their educational goals by providing:
- Flexible withdrawal procedures in the event of activation, deployment, or enlistment,
- Waived residency requirements for active duty service members and dependents,
- Veterans Benefits processing,
- Tuition Assistance processing,
- Tuition Waivers for Maryland National Guardsmen,
- DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signatory, and
- Support services available through the Combat2College program (see below).
Combat2College
Combat2College is a nationally recognized program that offers opportunities and services to veterans and service members attending Montgomery College. Some of the program features include:
- Academic opportunities and advising,
- Financial Opportunities
- Wellness activities,
- Social opportunities,
- Space for gathering, and
- Referral and coordination with external agencies/resources
For more information, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/combat2college.
Veterans Affairs Office
The Veterans Affairs/Military Office was established to assist all students applying for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) educational benefits, active-duty members of the military, and military spouses. Students eligible to receive VA benefits must submit a Certification Request for VA Benefits form, available at www.montgomerycollege.edu/admissions-registration/student-resources/student-forms.html to va@montgomerycollege.edu each semester after completing registration to have their enrollment certifications submitted to the DVA. Each semester after completing registration, students receiving military tuition assistance must submit a Certification Request for VA Benefits form, available at www.montgomerycollege.edu/admissions-registration/student-resources/student-forms.html to va@montgomerycollege.edu together with the tuition assistance authorization from the corresponding military branch. All students receiving VA benefits, and military tuition assistance must contact va@montgomerycollege.edu regarding any changes in enrollment. For more information, visit https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/veterans-and-military/index.html
Parking and Motor Vehicle Registration
Each person associated with the College who parks a vehicle on any campus of the College or any property owned, leased, maintained, or operated by the College must register the vehicle regardless of its ownership. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors must abide by College traffic regulations. The College reserves the right to issue a citation or to tow, at the owner’s risk and expense, any unregistered vehicle parked in violation. The Montgomery College Motor Vehicle Regulations and vehicle registration and parking information is available online at www.montgomerycollege.edu/about-mc/campuses-and-locations/transportation-and-parking.html.
Printing at MC
A kiosk style, pay-for-print system is in place at the College. Our kiosks currently use the Ink Labs cloud printing solution, and are located on each campus in the libraries, labs, and learning centers. To use these kiosks, you will need to create an Ink print account. The best way to pay for these copies is to pre-load your Ink account with a minimum of $5 as funds to be drawn for each print you request. Other payment options are also available. Visit the Printing at MC website for FAQs, tutorials, pricing, and other information: www.montgomerycollege.edu/printing.
Public Safety Services
Montgomery College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment at all times that will support and enhance the institution’s educational programs and services. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for the protection and well-being of the College community, first aid, law enforcement and security functions, emergency assistance, 24-hour escort service (upon request), maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and the lost and found service. Officers on each campus are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In compliance with the Campus Safety and Security Act of 1990 (Clery Act), the College’s Public Safety procedures are provided online in the Montgomery College Annual Security Report at ww.montgomerycollege.edu/_documents/life-at-mc/public-safety/annual-security-report.pdf
Public Safety Office Locations
Germantown: Student Affairs and Science Building (SA), Room 282; 240-567-3333
Rockville: Student Services Center (SV), Room 122; 240-567-3333
Takoma Park/Silver Spring: Student Services Center (ST), Room 117; 240-567-3333
Emergencies
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call 911 first. Then call MC Public Safety at (240) 567-3333.
When a local or regional emergency affects Montgomery College, Montgomery College’s Public Safety personnel and other College officials utilize the College Emergency Operations Plan to coordinate their response activities with county, state, and federal authorities, as appropriate. The College works directly with Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and other agencies of County government.
Additional information, including emergency evacuation area maps, is available at www.montgomerycollege.edu/emergency.
Emergency Preparedness
In the event of emergency situations involving Montgomery College directly or if an emergency occurs at the local, regional, or national level that could impact the college community Montgomery College’s Public Safety personnel and other College officials utilize in-house emergency response plans and coordinate their response activities with local, county, state, and federal authorities, as appropriate. The College works directly in conjunction with Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, in the event of any local activation of the county’s Emergency Operations Center.
Additional information, including emergency evacuation area maps, is available at www.montgomerycollege.edu/emergency.
Personal Safety
Personal safety depends on the actions each individual takes to prepare for, anticipate and respond to a perceived threat of danger. All visitors and members of the College are expected to take reasonable precautions that include an awareness of their surroundings; the phone number for Public Safety (240-567-3333) for assistance or an escort; and locations in which a visitor may hide or shelter-in-place. Everyone is encouraged to sign up for MC Alert text messaging on the Public Safety web page, and to be prepared to take immediate action when danger is observed or announced. For example, in the case of a reported Active Threat, members of the College community and visitors will be notified as soon as the incident is verified to “Run, Hide, or Fight as appropriate”, knowing that each person must take the action most appropriate for the individual circumstance.
Members of the MC community are encouraged to contact Public Safety for individual or group training in areas of concern.
Additional information, including emergency evacuation area maps, is available at www.montgomerycollege.edu/safety.
Student Employment Services
The purpose of Student Employment Services is to teach currently enrolled students and recent graduates the skills that they need to become successfully employed, by assessing, identifying, and showcasing their skills and abilities in the job search process. This assistance is applicable in looking for part-time work to finance their education, internships relevant to their major to enhance their career journey, and full-time work in conjunction with their career goals. Employment services include:
- individual assistance with résumé writing, cover letter preparation, interview skills, job readiness, and job search skills;
- job readiness workshops (résumé preparation, interviewing techniques, etc.);
- job listings for full-time, part-time, and temporary employment opportunities (College Central Network at www.collegecentral.com/montgomerycollege);
- internship course to earn credits while building career experience;
- employer on-campus recruitment;
- annual general job fairs and frequent “niche fairs” focused on specific majors; and
- access to computers to make use of online job search resources.
Locations:
Germantown: Student Affairs and Science Building; Room 265
Rockville: Student Services Building; Room 205
Takoma Park/Silver Spring: Resource Center; Room 205T (Permanent Location)**
**Current Location of Takoma Park/Silver Spring Office is Cafritz 151T due to building renovations.
A Student Employment Services Specialist is available on each campus to work with students on an individual basis. For more information, please e-mail studemp@montgomerycollege.edu or visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/careerservices.
Student Life
The Student Life Office provides a place for students to take advantage of a variety of programs and opportunities to get involved at the College. These opportunities are an integral part of the co-curricular experience and they enhance the academic experience at the College. Programs provide students with skills and abilities in such areas as leadership, communication, program planning, budget and financial management, collaboration, social and civic engagement, and multicultural understanding. Programs and events may focus on students, the campuses, the college, and the community.
The Office of Student Life offers leadership training to provide students with the necessary skills to participate effectively in clubs and organizations. Students have the opportunity to run for office in student government, participate in the planning and approving of budget expenditures, and can contribute to the development of campus life and culture. Available clubs and organizations vary by campus but generally include cultural, ethnic, religious, political, mentoring, tutorial, recreational, academic, and service clubs; other organizations include the campus newspapers and the campus Student Senates. Students can also form new clubs to add to the rich environment of each campus. In addition to leadership training, the Office of Student Life provides a service-learning program that engages students, faculty, and community organizations in meaningful, collaborative, and mutually beneficial projects.
The Student Life Offices are located in room 113 of the Student Affairs and Science Building at Germantown, room 005 of the Campus Center at Rockville and room 217 of the Student Services Center at Takoma Park/ Silver Spring.
Locations:
Germantown: Student Affairs and Science Building; Room 113
Rockville: Campus Center; Room 005
Takoma Park/Silver Spring: Student Services Center; Room 217
New Student Orientation
The New Student Orientation Program is a beneficial program for all incoming first year students and is offered online or in-person. The three campuses offer several program formats prior to the beginning of fall and spring semesters. Specific information may be obtained from the Student Life Office websites for New Student Orientation: www.montgomerycollege.edu/orientation.
The orientation program introduces students, and their family members to a variety of first-year experiences designed to facilitate the transition to college life and help students enjoy a successful year at Montgomery College. Faculty, staff, administrators, and students collaborate to provide workshops, open houses, tours, discussions, and social events to help new students and their families learn about services, college expectations, campus life, academic issues, parent/ family involvement, safety, and much more.
Support Centers
The College provides a number of centers at each campus that support student success. Services include tutoring, study skills development, access to information technology, books, models, audiovisuals and other media, and other success skills materials and support activities. These services are free. Students are encouraged to stop by any of the centers listed on the following page for information regarding hours and available services.
Germantown Campus
- Math Accounting Physics Engineering Learning (MAPEL) Center, 202 SA (computer science tutoring also offered)
- Science Learning Center, 244 BE
- Cybersecurity Center, 230 HT (cybersecurity and computer science tutoring)
- Student Employment Services Office, 265 SA
- Writing Center and Language Lab, Writing, Reading and Language Center, 150 HS
Rockville Campus
- Digital Learning Center Computer Labs, 307, 312, 314, 320 HU; 25/26 CS
- World Languages Tutoring, 20 MT
- General Purpose Computer Labs, 312, 314 HU; 25/26 CS
- The Judy E. Ackerman STEM Learning Center, 109 SW
- Writing, Reading, and Language Center, 020MT/HU002
Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus
- Academic Success Center, 110 CM
- Learning Skills Support Services, 325 HC
- Medical Learning Center, 221 HC
- Health Sciences Student Success Center, 226 HC
- Science Learning Center, 101 SN
- Mathematics Learning Center, P1 101D; MP 249
- Student Employment Services, 205 RC
- Digital Learning Center, 304 ST
- Writing, Reading, and Language Center, 105 RC
Television
Montgomery College Television (MCTV) is a nationally award-winning educational and informational television channel and media outlet providing high quality, thought provoking video programming for students and community members. Content topics range from career exploration, academic and extra-curricular opportunities, student resources and social justice to local history, sports, performing arts, commencement and much more. Montgomery College students can apply for practical hands-on engineering and digital media production internships. Interning as a paid student aide with MCTV includes job training in a state-of-the-art facility, learning to create live programs in the studio as well as remotely on field shoots. Student interns engage in video and audio editing, graphic design, writing for broadcast and social media, and have the opportunity to appear on camera. MCTV invites you to be a part of the community of viewers and watch online at MCTV.info or via cable in Montgomery County. For links to on-demand videos and social platforms, MCTV’s program schedule, and to apply for student opportunities, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/mctv. MCTV airs 24/7 on cable channel # 998 and # 10 on Comcast, # 10 on Verizon, and # 1059 on RCN. Follow MCTV at: facebook.com/montgomerycollegetv, twitter.com/mctvsocial, and instagram.com/mctvsocial and youtube.com/montgomerycollege.
Transportation
Current Montgomery College students can board the Ride On bus or MC Campus Shuttle at no additional cost. They must simply show the driver a College student identification card with a current semester sticker. Ride On schedules, maps, and routes are available online at the Ride On and Transit Services page of the Montgomery County website: www.montgomerycountymd.gov. For details on how to obtain a valid MC student ID, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/studentid. For more information on transportation and the MC Shuttle, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/about-mc/campuses-and-locations/transportation-and-parking.html.
TRIO Programs
In 1965, Congress established a series of programs to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate, and move on to participate more fully in the country’s economic and social life. These programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO Programs.
Educational Opportunity Center
The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) provides information and counseling on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education. An important objective of EOC is to counsel participants on financial aid options and to assist in the application process. The goal of EOC is to increase the number of adult participants who enroll in postsecondary education institutions.
Students in the program are eligible to receive career counseling, college admission and financial aid counseling, application assistance, financial literacy advising, and, when necessary, referrals to English as a Second Language and GED instructional programs. Participation eligibility is based on the following categories: first-generation college student (neither parent has a bachelor’s degree), low-income student (based on taxable income and family size), and the desire to enroll in postsecondary education. In addition, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents or meet the residency requirements for federal financial assistance. The EOC office and satellite locations at community-based organizations, social services agencies, and other community resource programs make higher education information conveniently accessible to Montgomery County residents.
The EOC program is located in 150 CF on the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. For more information, please call 240-567-5644 or visit the website www.montgomerycollege.edu/special-programs/trio-programs-at-mc.
Student Support Services
Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded grant program through the U.S. Department of Education serving Montgomery College students since Fall 2001. Our goal is to positively affect and increase the college’s retention, transfer, and graduation rates by providing and coordinating a variety of educational support services and activities for our first-generation college students, students who meet federal low-income guidelines, and/or students with disabilities. In this capacity, we facilitate the process of a student’s transition from one level of higher education to the next.
Participation in the program is limited to 175 Montgomery College students. To qualify for the program, a student must be:
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Currently enrolled at MC
- In need of academic support
AND
Meet one of the following categories:
- A first-generation college student (neither of the student’s parents has received a four-year degree in the U.S.). A low-income individual based on federal guidelines.
- An individual with a disability
Services provided
- Academic support
- Academic, career, and transfer advising
- Financial literacy, assistance with completing the FAFSA
- English, reading, and STEM tutoring
- Workshops on academic skills, career exploration/planning, social services, and other topics
Student Support Services’ goal is achieved by providing
- Staff who are invested in students’ academic success
- Personalized attention for each individual situation
- Assistance in learning to navigate the College system and identify resources
- A learning community for personal and academic growth
- Academic advising and monitoring
- Resource information for career exploration and planning
- Transfer assistance and advising
- Financial aid application assistance
- A sense of belonging and purpose
We believe in the value of each individual, and we enjoy the privilege of serving and witnessing student growth. We believe in students’ dreams and provide a supportive environment for the realization and accomplishment of those dreams. Our goal is to empower students to make positive life choices, adapt to a changing world that requires new responsibilities and skills, and create and maintain supportive connections and communities.
Please email sss@montgomerycollege.edu or visit our website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/trio for more information.
