Financial Aid for U.S. Veterans Attending McHenry County College

The McHenry County Community Foundation reminds U.S. Armed Forces veterans who have returned from service and attending McHenry County College that they can take advantage of grants to help save money on the tools and books they'll need for a successful academic career.
The Foundation, along with the Friends of McHenry College Foundation are encouraging veterans to apply for grants to cover the cost of a new laptop or book rentals through the MCC Student Veterans Resource Center.
"We are grateful to veterans and to their sacrifice. We also want to encourage them to seek their degree or certificate close to home," said Robin Doeden, Executive Director of The McHenry County Community Foundation. "We've partnered with McHenry County College to ease student veterans' transition back to school by encouraging them to apply for the Student Veteran Laptop Grant and the Pay-It-Forward Book Grant," she added.

Student Veteran Laptop Grant
Having a laptop computer is critical to improved academic performance and encourages retention and persistence when veterans return to school. Thanks to the generosity of local donors, the Community Foundation provides $500 grants in the form of direct deposit into students' bank accounts.

In the 2016-2017 school year, 34 veterans received laptop grants. Recipients volunteered for college and community events, veteran celebrations, fundraisers and other "thank you" efforts.

The Pay-It-Forward Book Grant
Veterans can get funds to pay for books by applying for the Pay-It-Forward Book Grant. Students repay the grant directly to the fund when they are able to return their books to the Student Veterans Resource Center. The books are then rented to future students.
In exchange for receiving a laptop grant, student veterans are asked to volunteer their time at activities and events that deepen their connection to local communities and to other veterans. Students receiving a book grant have the option of providing volunteer service if they are unable to payback their book rental fees.
In the 2016-2017 school year, a total of 19 Pay It Forward Book grants were awarded to veterans, with an average value of $255.
"The Friends of McHenry College Foundation expresses our gratitude to the donors to the McHenry County Community Foundation for their continued financial support of our county's student veterans," said Brian DiBona, Executive Director of the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation.
"Many men and women returning from overseas deployments often lack access to the technology that plays such a key role in college success. When housing, transportation and school concerns are in flux, having a laptop computer and having books in time for the first day of class are critical to veterans and encourage them to stay in school and work hard to fulfill their dreams," he added.
The two grant programs have been offered to veterans since 2014. During the last school year, 285 student veterans took advantage of their educational benefits at MCC. Grant recipients have donated an average of 20 hours of volunteer service, including participating in student government, and volunteering for events, organizations and fundraisers.

Many veterans have commented on the impact these grants have made in their lives.
"The beginning of a semester is always rife with financial challenges and being faced with [staggering] book costs can be daunting to say the least. Thank you once again for easing that stress with your timely and generous gift," wrote Alicia Sutherland, veteran, U.S. Air Force.

"This gesture of kindness is greatly appreciated. To all of you who took the time and donated what you could to further my life's ambitions is a deed this card cannot repay. My dedication t9 success is solidified, and your contribution to my success is now permanently etched," Timothy D. Miller, veteran, U.S. Air Force.

For more information on the Laptop and Pay-It-Forward Book Grants, veterans are invited to contact or visit the MCC Student Veterans Resource Center, online at http://www.mchenry.edu/financialaid/veterans.asp or in person at 8900 US Highway 14, C122, Crystal Lake, IL 60012.

About The McHenry County Community Foundation
The McHenry County Community Foundation is a trusted community leader, sponsor and participant encouraging philanthropy and welcoming partnerships to create a positive difference in the quality of life in all of McHenry County.
The McHenry County Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people of McHenry County. We work with you to help you fulfill your charitable interests and goals. We play a key role in addressing community needs, opportunities and dreams – now and in the future – in order to help make giving as effective as possible.
For more information please contact the Foundation at 815.338.GIVE (4483) or connect with us: www.mccfdn.org.