College Budget Gets Boost from Montgomery County

Montgomery College’s FY17 budget got a $6.5 million boost from Montgomery County—a 5.1 percent increase over last year’s contribution—allowing the College to advance programs that enhance student achievement, including the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program and the Achieving the Promise Academy.

The funds will also enable the College to open the Early Learning Laboratory on the Germantown Campus to enhance the teacher education program. Also included in the approved budget is funding for scholarships to support students in the Maryland Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (MI-BEST) program. The county also provided $1 million in funding to enhance scholarships. These investments are vital to keeping the College affordable while closing the achievement gap.

The county council voted to provide resources to construct the Student Services Center on the Rockville Campus; the renovation of the Science and Applied Studies Building on the Germantown Campus; and the design of the Math and Science Building on the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. Overall, the county has invested $333,268,000 in the College’s capital improvements program over six years.

The state also supported the College’s efforts, contributing an additional $2.2 million in aid for FY17.