Adult Student & Family Resources
We recognize how the adult student and student parent experience can be uniquely difficult. The virtual Adult Student & Family Resource Center provides vital information to students to help smooth the transition for parenting and adult students returning to school to earn a degree, acquire marketable skills, or train for a new career.
Programs & Resources
Explore programs and resources below designed for:
- Student parents
- Single parents
- Adults age 24+ who are low income, out-of-work, or homeless
College Resources
The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program supports eligible FCC students by providing increased access to affordable on-campus childcare services. Student-parents who are accepted into the program will receive a voucher to help cover the cost of child care services at participating childcare centers. The CCAMPIS program is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
- Lactation Rooms: Located in the Student Center, Room H221A and in Linganore Hall, Room L227A. To reserve
access to these rooms, please visit the 25Live reservation page or email [email protected].
- Family parking Spaces: For expecting students or students with children. Located in the Visitor’s Lot, Student
Center Lot (Lot 1), JBK Theater (Lot 9), Lot 5, and the Parking Deck.
- Family Study Space: The Family Study Space provides a safe comfortable place for student parents to study,
recharge, and connect with each other while their children play. With an interactive
display, pack-n-play, games, toys, and more, the space is suitable for children of
all ages. Located in Annapolis Hall, Room A101. Hours during the academic year, Monday
8:30-6:00, Tuesday through Friday, 8:30-4:30.
- The Learning Commons: The Collaborative Space in the Learning Commons is a family friendly study space
that is available anytime the Learning Commons is open. The front desk has coloring
books, toys, and games available to borrow while in the space.
- Priority Registration: FCC Students who have identified themselves as parents/caregivers for children age
17 and younger are eligible to register for classes a few days earlier than the general
student population. Exact dates will be posted prior to registration opening each
semester. Please contact Jennifer Leonard, Adult and Parent Education and Outreach
Coordinator, [email protected] if you have questions.
- Highchairs in the Cougar Grille
FCC Live Well is committed to holistic well-being, spanning physical, emotional, financial,
social, and environmental aspects. Our goal is to empower students in their academic
and personal endeavors, fostering a positive and healthy campus culture. Our vision
is to make FCC a leader in student wellness.
Live Well
The FCC Foundation provides scholarships to help toward the costs of college.
Foundation Scholarship
The FCC Parents Lead program provides assistance to parents in the pursuit of a college
degree. Designed especially for financially eligible parents, the program provides
specialized curriculum and advising services as well as FCC Foundation scholarships
for childcare and other costs while parents attend classes.
parents lead
Project Forward Step is a counseling, information, and referral program designed to
meet the needs of returning adult students, with special services for single parents
(including single pregnant women) and non-traditional age adults (age 24 and over)
who are low income, out-of-workforce, or homeless.
Project Forward Step
Community/County Resources
The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) (formerly known as Child Care Subsidy) Program provides
financial assistance with childcare costs to eligible working families in Maryland.
To be eligible for the CCS program, you must be a Maryland resident who is working/employed,
in an approved training program or attending school. For families where both parents live within the same household, both parents must
meet all eligibility requirements. View the CCS Program website to view the full list
of eligibility requirements.
Child Care Scholarship Program
Child Find is the process for locating, evaluating, and identifying all children from
birth through age 21 who are suspected of having a disability. Parents who suspect
their child may have an educational disability should speak with staff at their child’s
school. If a child is homeschooled, attending a parentally placed private school,
or is 2 years, 9 months or older and not enrolled in FCPS, parents should contact
the Child Find Office at 301.644.5292. Information regarding the Child Find process
for children younger than 2 years, 9 months may be obtained from the Frederick County
Developmental Center, 301.600.1611.
Child Find
Family Connects provides a visit at home with a registered nurse 3 weeks after the
baby is born. Along with a full newborn assessment the family receives personalized
resources that may include help with accessing clothing and diapers, connecting parents
to mental health resources, accessing nutrition resources including formula and lactation
support, and much more. This no-cost service is available to all families with a newborn
who live in Frederick County and we support Families up to 12 weeks after the baby
is born.
Family Connects
Generation Hope began in March 2010 when Nicole Lynn Lewis, a former teen mother who
attended the College of William & Mary while raising her infant daughter, decided
to put her dream of helping more teen parents beat the odds in motion. She envisioned
an organization that would encourage and support other teen parents in their pursuit
of a college degree. Nicole's life, and her daughter's life, was truly transformed
by graduating from college, and she wanted to help others realize their full potential
and obtain stable and successful futures.
Generation Hope Scholarship
The Maryland Department of Human Services will aggressively pursue opportunities to
assist people in economic need, provide prevention services, and protect vulnerable
children and adults. Snap benefits assists low-income households to have a more nutritious
diet by increasing their purchasing power. Medicaid benefits provide comprehensive
health care insurance for aged, blind, and/or disabled adults and families with low
income.
The Maryland Department of Human Services
LOCATE: Child Care, is a free and confidential referral service that will help you
find the best child care for your family. The program is affiliated with all of Maryland’s
regulated child care providers.
LOCATE: child Care
Financial assistance is available for YMCA memberships, childcare, and summer camp programs for individuals and families with financial need.
College Success for Single Mothers
FCC is proud to be part of the College Success for Single Mothers Project. We collected data on our single mothers’ and student parents’ lived experiences and implemented action plans to expand services that foster student success.
Contact
Jennifer Leonard
Adult and Parent Education and Outreach Coordinator
[email protected]
301.624.2862
Michael Thornton
Scholarship Program Manager
[email protected]
301.624.2851
Testimonials
When I became an FCC student, I had no idea what to do or what classes I should take. With the help of FCC, I had an amazing college experience and they showed me the best way of achieving my goals and becoming a successful student.
Diana Omar, Adult Student
As a working adult and parent, pursuing my Associate degree has been a challenging journey. However, FCC staff has always been available, lending a hand to support with child care, transportation, and academic advising every step of the way.
Liz Onobikoty Etouke, Student Parent
FCC made my college experience so very comfortable and easy to transition into a college graduate. Without the help of this remarkable office going above and beyond the call of duty for me, I don’t think my experience would have been so rewarding.
Ron Orban, Adult Student
The Allied Health Academy (AHA) helped me get a great job. Shortly after completing my training in sterile processing, I was offered a full-time position with the University of Maryland Medical Center as a sterile processing tech. I would recommend AHA to anyone.
Kyndel Brown, Adult Student
As a parent we all have some sort of grit and want what's best for our children. Do not lose sight of your dreams.
Ethan Fyfe, Student Parent
The advice that I would give parents who are thinking about going back to school would be to take the leap of faith and do it, you may just surprise yourself. I know I did. Don't let the fear of needing help stop you from going back to school. There are resources out there from scholarships, to loans, to assistance, to help with food or loaner computers. All you need to do is ask the question and there will be someone who will be able to help guide you through navigating resources and helping to provide for your family while you continue your education.
Jessica Stefanick, Student Parent
Hearing my boys talk about school inspired me to go back and get a degree, so I can improve my work life and provide a better future for my kids, family, and future kids.
Joel Ramirez, Student Parent
There’s a lot of help here. If you need to talk to someone, you need to relax, all the help and support makes it very easy. You don't have to worry about stopping at the store after a class, you can just to go to CougarMart and pick up a few things for dinner. I’ve also used the Family Study Space. Last year they closed my son’s school one day and I didn't know what to do with him and I had to study, so we came and he was playing with his toys and I got my work done.
Lyly Rene-Andre, Student Parent
Pursuing an education can enhance your career prospects, leading to better-paying job opportunities and financial stability. It’s never too late to go back to school, no matter the age or even if it is one class, it’s all worth it in the end. FCC has many campus resources to help you succeed.
Manuela Caceres, Student Parent
A few years after taking my first ESOL classes, I realized the need to go back to school and provide me and my family with a wider job opportunity to balance our family life.
Cristian Vidal, Student Parent
School is important to me because it gives me an opportunity to acquire more knowledge and challenge myself while working toward my goals. Do this for you, you deserve it.
Courtney Crenshaw, Student Parent
As long as you are willing to take a chance, there really are no limits to the goals that can be achieved.
Kate Hanson, Student Parent
There are multiple resources on campus if you are ever in need of support. Student Success, Parents Lead, academic advisors and even Disability Access Services. As a parent, whether you are doing this alone or with a significant other, FCC prides itself in making sure you are not alone in this journey.
Devon Hall, Student Parent