MCC officially opts out of loan program ♥

Published in the Courier-Tribune on September 4, 2011

by Hugh Martin

TROY — Montgomery Community College trustees have decided to opt out of the Federal Student Direct Loan Program.

“I feel like this is the right decision,” Dr. Mary Kirk, president of the college, said during the Aug. 10 meeting. “I just don’t want to see students leave school with such a huge debt on their backs.”

The direct loans are used for education expenses, but the definition can cover a broad spectrum of spending.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, expenses include school charges such as tuition, room and board, fees and indirect expenses such as books, supplies, equipment, dependent child care expenses, transportation and rental or purchase of a personal computer.

“We have enough programs available here at MCC to assist students with their needs,” Kirk said. “I have never heard a student say that they couldn’t come to MCC because of the cost.”

Kirk added that 28 community colleges in North Carolina have chosen to opt out of the program.

A financial aid report during the same meeting showed that the financial aid office has reviewed 1,864 Institutional Student Information Records (ISIR) since Jan. 1, 2011. That number is up 336 from the same time in 2010.

In other business, the board:

• Participated in the oath of office for reappointed trustees Claudia Bulthuis, Andrea Marshall and Lowell Russell.

• Re-elected Gelynda Capel as chair, Earle Connelly as vice chair and Claudia Bulthuis as secretary of the board.

• Heard a presentation by Tracey Wyrick, Criminal Justice Technology Program head.

• Approved the hiring of eight new employees.

• Was introduced to Wyrick and Roger Reynolds, who has been hired as vice president of Administrative Services.

• Accepted the resignations of six employees.

• Approved the Planning Council policy.

• Updated the student fees chart.

• Approved performance measures.

• Approved two in-kind transfers for the Gunsmithing program.