Hurricane Katrina’s path of destruction in the Gulf Coast region has left tens of thousands of people homeless, including students attending colleges and universities in the area. St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) is offering assistance to those students who now find themselves in what was previously an inconceivable circumstance – having no higher education institution to attend.
“We feel a special bond with students who suddenly find themselves without a college,” said Maggie O’Brien, president of SMCM. “We want to help by offering access to classes for the semester to students who are most affected by this tragedy. Our first priority is for students who are homeless both from their school and their family homes. Another priority is for students from Maryland who attend a college that is closed because of the hurricane.”
The College’s Office of Admissions will work with students attending college in the Gulf Coast region to see if a semester at St. Mary’s would support their educational goals and needs. Students will be provided streamlined admission to SMCM, with the application fee waived. Financial assistance with tuition and fees will also be offered for the semester, based on the student’s financial circumstances and the immediacy of the student’s need created by the hurricane. Assistance with room and board for residential students will also be available.
Although on-campus housing at SMCM is limited, up to six beds are available for students who are from the impacted areas of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. Maryland students attending institutions in impacted areas are also eligible.
For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions at 240-895-5000.