Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund
Welcome! We know that life under COVID has been extremely challenging, especially if you’ve lost your job, lost work hours, or haven’t been able to find a new job. Montgomery College is here to help. If you qualify, we have a new program to help you pay for classes to learn new skills, earn a license or credential, and find a job.
Learn more about the GEER Funding opportunity in the GEER Program Overview (PDF, 
)
GEER scholarship applications have reopened
Read all the information below, and follow the directions to start your application for GEER funding.
GEER Background Information
The Governor of the State of Maryland has established a fund to help Maryland residents who have been impacted by COVID enroll in workforce training classes that lead to a labor market recognized credential, so that students can return quickly to work. Montgomery College will distribute this funding to eligible students until until money runs out.
Services
Students may qualify for support in one or more of three areas: course tuition/fees; technology needs; other fees. Depending on participant needs and available resources, students may use this funding for
- Course tuition and fees up to $3,500 per participant
- Technology needs related to remote instruction up to $1,000 per participant for courses over 18 hours or more.
- Other fees (for example, books, certification/licensing, testing fees) up to $500
per participant
Students may also receive additional support with career planning and education decisions, referrals for social services, and job search services.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a Maryland resident
- Be legally eligible to work in the US
- Have their employment status affected by COVID – this includes a job loss, reduction in hours, unstable employment, or challenges finding new employment
- Owe no more than $5,000 to Montgomery College
- Be enrolled in or ready to enroll in a GEER approved course
Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a first come-first serve basis while funding is available.
Before you Apply
- Watch the GEER Orientation PowerPoint (PDF, )
- Read the GEER Program Guide (PDF, )
- Start getting your required documents ready. List of Acceptable Documents. (PDF, )
- Choose your career area and course(s).
- Review the GEER listing of Approved Courses Guide. (PDF, ) Additional dates for Fall classes will be added to the list shortly.
- Choose your career area. If you need help choosing a career area, contact the Educational Opportunity Center at 240-578-2076 (during normal business hours) or email beverly.coleman@montgomerycollege.edu
- If you have questions about a particular career area, contact the WDCE Program area (PDF, ) .
- Review the GEER listing of Approved Courses Guide. (PDF,
Application Steps:
- Learn about the program in the GEER Program Overview (PDF, )
- More details can be found in the GEER Program Guide (PDF, ) .
- Start getting your required documents ready. View List of Acceptable Documents (PDF, ) .
- Choose your career area and course(s)
- Review the GEER Listing of Approved Courses Guide, updated to include Fall courses. (PDF, )
- Choose your career area. If you need help choosing a career area, contact the Educational Opportunity Centernew window, or call 240-567-2076 (During normal business hours) or email beverly.coleman@montgomerycollege.edu.
- If you have a question about a particular career area, the contact information for
program areas can be found on the GEER Listing of Approved Courses (PDF, ) .
- Review the GEER Listing of Approved Courses Guide, updated to include Fall courses. (PDF,
- Complete the GEER Eligibility Screening Form.
- We will review your form.
- Eligible students will get an email with the link to the full application and further
instructions.
- You must complete the full GEER application, and upload all required documents (PDF, ) as instructed by the deadline indicated in your instructions to be eligible for funding.
- You must complete the full GEER application, and upload all required documents (PDF,
- Please be patient as your application is being reviewed. The volume of applications is very high. You will be contacted by email for follow up actions and decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
This funding is for anyone whose job or job search has been impacted by COVID. This means you lost a job, had your hours reduced, or have had difficulty finding a new job.
This funding is for anyone whose job or job search has been impacted by COVID. This means you lost a job, had your hours reduced, or have had difficulty finding a new job.
Applicants must:
- Be a Maryland resident.
- Be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
- Have their employment status affected by COVID - this includes a job loss, reduction in hours, unstable employment, or challenges finding new employment.
- Owe no more than $5,000 to Montgomery College.
- Be enrolled in or ready to enroll in a GEER approved course (PDF, ) .
If you meet the preliminary eligibility requirements, you will be instructed to send us a copy of one document for each of these categories.
- Maryland residence
- Employment authorization
Click here for the complete list of acceptable documentation for GEER. (PDF, ) There are many documents we can accept. If you don't have something, please tell
us what you have.
) .
) . Make sure that we have the program you’re looking for.
) .
) for a complete list of program rules and student responsibilities.
This $1,361,801 grant, awarded to Montgomery College from the U.S. Department of Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission, is 100% funded from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Education Stabilization Fund Program - Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. CFDA 84.425C.
