As Pennsylvania community colleges are grappling with a financial challenge due to withheld state funding, Montgomery County Community College is getting creative, writes Susan Snyder for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Despite Governor Josh Shapiro signing the budget, the legislature hasn’t passed the required code bills, affecting about 230,000 students statewide.
This is causing Montgomery County Community College to tap into its reserves, set up a $10 million credit line at 6.63 percent interest, and cut nonessential costs.
Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, president of Montgomery County Community College, emphasizes the strain, saying, “We’re at a critical juncture now, not having this large amount of funding available.”
The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges has urged the legislature to release the funds.
The delay impacts the institutions and their diverse student population, including first-generation students, students of color, and Pell grant recipients.
These colleges are essential for the economic and social mobility of these students and their communities.
Read more about how Montgomery County Community College is dealing with state funding challenges in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Montgomery County Community College Virtual Tour – Blue Bell Campus (with captions)
