IN A CRAB SHELL
With nearly half the undergraduate population of Maryland enrolled at 16 colleges, on 23 campuses and 1000+ locations, it can be challenging to capture and share all that’s happening at Maryland’s community colleges.
-- However, with In A Crab Shell, we try. --
Similar to the more well-known phrase in a nutshell, -- In A Crab Shell provides a concise, bi-weekly discussion of issues important to higher education and the
State of Maryland.
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COVID-19 and College 2020-21
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College-bound High School Seniors Rethink Plans
Should I stay or should I go now? - The Clash
Multiple surveys show about 20%* of college-bound high school seniors are "very likely" changing their plans about attending a 4-year college full-time in fall 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why the Change?
Financial Risk -
Of students surveyed, about 50% say their ability to afford their 1st choice college is less certain now than before the pandemic.
Risk of COVID-19 Rebound -
Virtually all students, 90%, are closely monitoring the pandemic and colleges' plans for the 2020-21 academic year.
Maryland's community colleges are an affordable, local option with credits transferable to in-state, out-of-state, public and private colleges and universities.
*Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on College-going High School Seniors, Art & Science Group, LLC, March 2020. The survey was conducted of students who planned full-time attendance at a 4-year college this fall.
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R I S K Y B U S I N E S S
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Necessary Risk?
Each fall, millions of students go off to college, often far away from home and family. In 2020, that common social norm presents more risks than ever before.
RISK - Financial
There are multiple financial risks associated with sending teens away to college with the threat of a fall / winter resurgence of COVID-19.
- Is full-time tuition, room & board at a 4-year private or public institution still affordable? Will it be affordable through future resurgences of COVID-19 until a vaccine is widely available?
- Can the best college choice be made without the benefit of in-person college tours, overnights, and team sport try-outs ?
- If colleges suspend in-person operations, will refunds be issued? How much will be refunded and how promptly?
RISK - Safety & Education
- If a student's college suspends in-person operation, will students be able to get home before travel restrictions hit?
- Is social distancing possible in dorms, lecture halls and cafeterias? Answer: No.
- Is online learning part of the college's core educational platform, or has it been set up hastily to avoid complete shutdown?
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R I S K M A N A G E M E N T
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Community Colleges -- Flatten the 'Risk' Curve
Community colleges offer an antidote to many COVID-19 risks.
HEALTH & SAFETY
- COVID-19 is predicted to rebound in fall 2020.
- Students who attend their local community college will be home in familiar surroundings.
- Even students who attend in-person classes at their community college will have less exposure than those who live in dormitories, often with roommate(s).
- Students attending their local CC won't have to rely on trains or planes to return home if a pandemic resurgence forces colleges to shift to online-only education.
COST
- Community college tuition is more affordable than tuition at either public or private 4-year institutions.
- There are no additional costs for room & board*, nor a costly mobilization to move into and fit-out a dorm room.
- The Community College Promise program (see below) covers tuition and fees for eligible students. More information is available below and on the Promise page of MACC's website.
EDUCATION
- At community college, students can stay on track with their education, just from a closer, safer location.
- Online instruction is a core part of community college's educational platform - we do it well.
- Our credits are transferable for students pursuing a bachelor degree.
- Students can start at community college and continue at their 1st choice school when the pandemic risk has been contained.
* 2 of Maryland's 16 community colleges do offer dormitories as a living option.
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Community College Promise
$15 Million Reasons to Enroll at Your Local CC
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Important 2020 Changes -- CC Promise Program
The Community College Promise Program is designed to help middle income Marylanders attend community college. $15 million/year is earmarked to pay tuition and fees for eligible students.
Students who meet the program eligibility guidelines
AND submitted a FAFSA** or MSFAA** by March 1, 2020,
are eligible* for fall 2020 CC Promise funds.
Several important changes to the CC Promise program are approved and awaiting finalization.
- Recipients are no longer required to work full-time in Maryland for a time period equal to the time they received the Promise funds following completion of their college program.
- Eligibility is no longer limited to students who are no more than 2 years out of high school or since GED completion.
Eligibility criteria includes income, college enrollment plans and high school GPA. Detailed information is available on MACC's website, and at Maryland's community colleges.
Eligible students can receive the Promise funds even if they did not name a community college on their FAFSA or MSFAA. Students should contact their local community college and ask how to ensure their application gets considered for the CC Promise.
*Eligibility does not guarantee award.
**FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. MSFAA - Maryland Student Financial Aid Application.
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Community colleges do offer campus life and
competitive college athletics!
When our colleges are not responding to a pandemic, our students enjoy an active campus life, including collegiate sports, cultural events, clubs, student governance and more.
We encourage families of college-bound seniors to contact admissions departments at their local community college once the pandemic restrictions have lifted, and take advantage of college tours to learn about the affordable, safe, quality higher education option in their home communities. They're probably in for a surprise! |
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