Program provides $2 million for Prince George’s County Community College Students

District 8 Council Member Edward Burroughs III has announced a new program that uses MGM Casino revenue to provide free tuition at Prince George’s County Community College. 

The program is available to those living in the six-mile radius surrounding the casino in District 8 and some border areas of District 7. While the program was initially funded at $1 million, the Prince George’s County Council on Tuesday allocated another $1 million to serve more residents and keep the program going beyond the upcoming semester. 

 Under the agreement to build MGM, a portion of gaming and tax revenue is dedicated to the surrounding community through the MGM Local Impact Grant Fund.

 “When I was elected to the County Council I was shocked to learn that this fund was primarily being used to pay for government services that our tax dollars already pay for in the southern part of the County,” said Burroughs. “As a result, I rewrote major parts of the plan, and over the next year, we will roll out transformational initiatives like this one. Education is the great equalizer when we talk about combating poverty and crime, and we must expand opportunities through education.”

The program is expected to impact over 1,000 new and current students.

“We commit ourselves to say that every resident in our community should have direct access as well as the opportunity to earn a credential, certificate, or a degree that is going to lift them from places of poverty into opportunities to earn family-sustaining wages,” said Dr. Falecia Williams, President of Prince George’s Community College. “Community colleges are America's lifeblood and we would let no one in our community have the door closed on that opportunity.”

Scholarships will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Information about how to apply is available here.