Keisha Hogan, 28, of Columbia said that without a scholarship to Howard Community College, she would have to work more hours, which would be difficult to balance with classes, studying and caring for two children.
"Every little bit [of scholarship money] works towards something, because college costs," said Hogan, who has a 9-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter. "Scholarships allow us to free up the time to go to school."
Last week, Hogan and more than 80 other students had an opportunity to express their appreciation in person to the sources of their financial support at HCC's student/donor reception on the Columbia campus.
"It is nice that donors have the opportunity to connect with the people they sponsor," said Hogan, who received two scholarships to help her study human services and education. "It is nice for us, too, because we want to see the people who are sponsoring us."
Jim Truby, chairman of the college's board of trustees, concurred with the notion of a two-way benefit.
"It is an opportunity for students to tell their stories, and it is an opportunity for donors to impart a bit of wisdom," he said.
Encouraging relationships between the college and donors is particularly important at a time when the country is facing a financial crisis and community colleges can expect enrollment and financial aid requests to rise significantly, Truby said.
Even though Howard County is known as an affluent area, 34 percent of HCC students come from homes with incomes of $40,000 or less, he said. Fourteen percent have family incomes below $20,000.
One-third of credit-earning students at the college benefit from scholarships and financial aid, Truby said. At the beginning of the fall semester, before the most serious economic problems began, requests for financial aid were up 17 percent over the previous fall.
"I am not sure I want to think about next year," Truby told those who attended the reception. "When I say we can't do it without you [the donors], it is not just a platitude, it's the reality of our situation."
Through individual requests and fundraising events, such as the Columbia Grand Prix horse-jumping event, the college's education foundation raised $2.7 million for scholarships, programs and grants last year.
The college's donors come from all parts of the community, including businesses, community service organizations and individuals. They provide more than 160 named scholarships in addition to financial support for other college programs.
