MCC Daily Tribune
Celebrating National Financial Aid Day
In celebration of National Financial Aid Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the dedicated team behind Monroe Community College’s (MCC) Financial Aid office—whose hard work and commitment play a vital role in helping students access and afford higher education.
At the heart of student success at MCC is the Financial Aid office—a dedicated team of 19 professionals committed to helping students overcome financial barriers and attend college. Through personalized guidance and strategic community outreach, the office works to ensure every student has access to the resources they need, with a renewed focus on supporting basic needs. By closely adhering to federal, state, and institutional regulations, the team maximizes each student’s eligibility for aid, making higher education more accessible for all.
A branch of Veteran Services also operates within the Financial Aid office, providing veterans with essential guidance, financial support, and access to the full benefits they’ve earned.
In recent years, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, the Financial Aid office has also emerged as a key campus partner in addressing students’ basic needs. By integrating these supports into the broader context of a student’s financial aid package, the office is able to take a more holistic approach to student well-being and success.
“Like many offices responsible for enrollment management, the work we do is cyclical and we react to the peak enrollment periods,” said Financial Aid Counselor Meryll Praller. While the periods leading up to the fall and spring semesters are the busiest, the department continues to meet with a high volume of students (100+/day) well into the semester.
In August 2025, the Financial Aid office assisted 1,735 walk-in students and responded to 2,848 phone calls. Additionally, the Financial Aid computer lab—staffed by student workers—welcomed nearly 400 visitors.
“We manage the increased workload with teamwork, humor, and food,” said Praller.
Administering financial aid is a highly complex process, made even more challenging by the constant changes to state and federal regulations. Financial aid is also impacted by other college departments—Admissions, Advising, Registration—so the office prioritizes solid communication and collaboration.
“Like many across the college, we have hard conversations with students every day. We see students who are in distress, who are hungry, who are juggling family responsibilities, and who come to us for help to address sudden and unexpected barriers,” said Praller. “Financial Aid shares the responsibility to help students remain enrolled in college - we reach for appropriate financial resources to remove barriers and partner with others throughout the college who assist with navigation and stabilization.”
When discussing common misconceptions about financial aid, Praller pointed out that many students doubt they will qualify for assistance.
“Financial aid isn’t just one thing; it’s more like an umbrella made up of a variety of programs and resources, with new opportunities emerging each year, such as SUNY Reconnect,” added Praller.
Although SUNY Reconnect has faced significant challenges due to a compressed implementation timeline and evolving SUNY guidelines, the program currently has 672 students who meet the eligibility criteria. “It’s been a massive collaborative effort and we’re grateful for the hard work of everyone involved,” said Praller.
New York State has also improved support for part-time students by eliminating the Aid for Part-Time Study program and expanding the part-time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). These changes have streamlined the process and made more students eligible for part-time TAP.
As of September 2025, MCC’s Financial Aid office disbursed $1.7 million more in aid than at the same point in 2024—a notable year-over-year increase. In addition, funding from New York State TAP and scholarships are trending upward, thanks to enhanced fundraising efforts by the MCC Foundation, increased promotion by faculty and staff, and growing student awareness about scholarship opportunities.
When asked for any memorable stories of students who were able to continue their education because of the Financial Aid office’s efforts, Praller recalled several.
With the support of traditional financial aid, help from a dedicated MCC faculty member, MCC Foundation scholarship dollars, and the time, energy, and active listening of Financial Aid staff, Student X successfully graduated from MCC and transferred to RIT. In a meaningful gesture of gratitude, he invited his MCC financial aid counselor to attend his U.S. citizenship naturalization ceremony—recognizing the role that counselor played in his journey.
“In all of my years at MCC - this was a first,” said Praller.
In another example, Praller recalled a student who faced homelessness and housing insecurity for consecutive semesters. Upon earning admission into the nursing program, the Financial Aid team, together with Nicole Meyer, helped Student X secure on-campus housing and additional scholarship dollars. MCC Assist even helped purchase his stethoscope.
Praller emphasized that none of this would be possible without the MCC Foundation, which secures donor support for programs like MCC Assist. The Foundation also secured and stewards a major grant from the Wegman Family Charitable Foundation, managed by the Financial Aid office, to support students facing food, housing, transportation, and childcare insecurities.
The department also collaborates with MCC’s Homeless Student Liaison, Nicole Meyer, who uses support from the Wegmans Grant to assist students facing housing instability. In the past six months, this partnership has helped 30 students avoid eviction and remain enrolled.
These cross-campus efforts reflect a shared commitment to removing barriers and promoting persistence, together as one!
Photo Caption: A group photo featuring several members of the Financial Aid Department staff and their student workers, posed in front of an MCC backdrop.
Attached Files:
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Courtney Weimar
Community Relations
10/15/2025