Subscribe to MWCC News The Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, Inc. has received a $24,200 grant from Santander Bank, N.A. to provide scholarship support for on-campus childcare services for MWCC students who are parents or guardians.
The two-year grant will help ensure that student parents have reliable childcare while pursuing their education, enabling them to stay on track with coursework and access campus services. Funding will be distributed through MWCC’s on-campus childcare programs, helping to remove one of the most significant barriers to college completion for students with young children.
“This support directly impacts the success of student parents, one of the most hardworking and determined groups on our campus,” said James L. Vander Hooven, President of Mount Wachusett Community College. “We are deeply grateful for Santander Bank’s partnership and commitment to educational access and equity.”
The grant aligns with Santander Bank, N.A.’s broader mission to promote financial empowerment and equitable access to education through its Santander Open Academy initiative. MWCC will utilize the Open Academy platform to promote the childcare scholarship program and reach eligible students.
“This partnership helps us meet students where they are—balancing family, work, and school,” said Carla Zottoli, MWCC Foundation Director. “Childcare support makes higher education possible for parents who might otherwise have to put their dreams on hold.”