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.
Background Information
Notice: Due to overwhelming interest in GEER, we will stop accepting new applications until we process current ones. Please check back after February 1, 2021 for more information.
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
- Meet income eligibility guidelines
Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a first come-first serve basis while funding is available until June 30, 2021. All funding must be used by September 30. 2021.
Important Application Information
- GEER Program Overview / Orientation (YouTube Video)new window
- GEER Program Guide (PDF,
) - GEER listing of Approved Courses Guide (PDF, )
- Acceptable Documents (PDF, )
- Income Eligibility Guidelines (PDF, )
- GEER Eligibility Screening Formnew window
Step #1. Review the Approved Courses
You will need to select a potential career path from the GEER list of approved courses (PDF, ) . These are listed by program area, and then by subcategories. Please be prepared
to select what path (program area and career) you are interested in.
For example: if you are interested in a career in the Health Sciences, you may want to become
a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The course descriptions may be found in the WDCE brochure (PDF, ) . If you still have questions, please contact the Program Director as listed on the
GEER list of Approved Courses (PDF, ) . They will be able to talk to you about your career choice.
Application Steps:
- Watch the PowerPoint GEER Program Overview / Orientation Guide (PDF, )
- Read the GEER Program Guide (PDF, )
- Review the Frequently Asked Questions listed below.
- GEER Eligibility Screening Form. Fill this form out so we can ensure you meet all of the eligibility requirements
for the program.
- We will review your form, and if you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for GEER funding, you’ll get an email with the link to the full application.
- If you do not qualify, we will notify you.
- Complete the full GEER application.
- Follow the directions and upload any required documents (PDF, ) that describe your situation.
- Wait for a Montgomery College staff member to review your application and contact
you by phone or email.
- Please be sure to respond quickly to Montgomery College staff members who are trying to reach you.
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, ) .
- Meet income eligibility guidelines (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
- Income
- Employment status
- 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.
