Allegany College of Maryland Commits to a Zero Percent Tuition Increase
CUMBERLAND, Md. (May 11, 2021) – Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) will not raise
tuition for the upcoming school year (2021-22). The decision builds on ACM’s commitment
to tuition affordability and belief in the importance of access to education.
“Although we pride ourselves on being an affordable college, it’s clear that we need
to do more during this pandemic to lift up our students and alleviate the burdens
they face. This [decision] is our small way of helping even more individuals achieve
their goals while graduating on time and with less college debt,” said ACM President
Cynthia Bambara. “It provides equity and access to education at a time when many in
our region are silently struggling to afford basic necessities.”
In addition to freezing tuition rates, the college began in March 2020 to expand existing
resources to remove additional academic roadblocks. While continuing to award nearly
$1.2 million in annual scholarships, the Allegany College of Maryland Foundation offers
mini-grants for students experiencing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pantry, ACM’s permanent food and personal care items supply pantry for current
students, provides discrete emergency assistance and nutrition education to students.
The college now offers on-campus mental health counseling at its Nurse Managed Wellness
Clinic and telehealth counseling by appointment.
ACM encourages individuals and their families to use its tuition freeze to invest
in their education. “Choosing to go to college or return [to college] after a break
is a big decision, but so is the payoff in terms of personal growth and economic stability.
A college degree is holding even more weight at the present. Nationally, people without
a college degree who lost their jobs during the pandemic are being left behind as
companies and institutions begin to rehire. Nearly four million adults without degrees
have not found work again, while their counterparts with some college, an associate
or a bachelor’s degree are being hired or hired back at much higher rates,” said Bambara.
ACM reminds prospective and current students to complete their FAFSA (Free Application
for Free Student Aid) for the 2021-2022 academic year, and register for the summer
session and the fall semester. The college is continuing to offer a variety of in-person,
online and flex learning classes. Interested individuals may visit ACM’s Advising
Center between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for assistance, or contact
Jennifer Engelbach at jengelbach@allegany.edu or 301-784-5198 to set up an in-person or virtual advising session. In-person and virtual appointments
with financial aid counselors are available by calling 301-784-5213 or emailing studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu.
