Montgomery College provides postsecondary educational programs from campuses located in Takoma Park/Silver Spring, Rockville, and Germantown with expansion underway in East County. It serves four broad groups of students: Those who want the first two years of a university education, whether it's for an associate's degree or in preparation for another program; Those who want to prepare for a career not requiring a bachelor's degree; Highly capable high school juniors and seniors who participate in special programs; and Adults who want to continue their education, either to improve job skills or for personal enrichment. The major sources of funding...

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AGENCY DESCRIPTION

Montgomery College provides postsecondary educational programs from campuses located in Takoma Park/Silver Spring, Rockville, and Germantown with expansion underway in East County. It serves four broad groups of students:

• Those who want the first two years of a university education, whether it's for an associate's degree or in preparation for another program;
• Those who want to prepare for a career not requiring a bachelor's degree;
• Highly capable high school juniors and seniors who participate in special programs; and
• Adults who want to continue their education, either to improve job skills or for personal enrichment.

The major sources of funding for Montgomery College are County support, State Aid, tuition and fees, auxiliary enterprises, and continuing education. The College is chartered by the State of Maryland and functions as a part of the Maryland State community college system. Montgomery College has a policy of open admissions, which means that any person with the equivalent of a high school diploma, or the age of 18 or over, who can benefit from the programs and services of the College, is admitted as a student. Montgomery College offers several programs for high school students, including the opportunity to take college-level classes and even earn an associate's degree while still in high school.

The development and administration of the educational programs and facilities of Montgomery College are directed by its President and overseen by the Board of Trustees.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

The Montgomery College FY27-32 CIP request consists of 26 active projects. The complete set of PDFs submitted by the College can be found on its web site at https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/offices/administrative-and-fiscal-services/budget-office/capital-budgets.html

PROGRAM CONTACTS

Contact Kristina Schramm of Montgomery College at 240-567-4265 or Katherine Bryant Higgins of the Office of Management and Budget at 240-777-2764 for more information about this agency's capital budget.

CAPITAL PROGRAM REVIEW

Montgomery College Request

The College's FY27-32 six-year CIP request totals $499.7 million, an $89.3 million or 21.8 percent, increase from the amended FY25-30 capital program of $410.4 million. The College's requested increase is largely due to the acceleration of construction of the Rockville Theatre Arts Building Renovation project and escalation associated with the project; the addition of significant design and construction costs for the Germantown Student Affairs Building Renovation and Addition - Phase 2; funding increases for Information Technology: College; and escalation for the Germantown Student Services Center and Collegewide Library Renovations. The College's request also includes the addition the following new projects: Collegewide Security Systems, Capital Asset Management System project, and Collegewide Road/Parking Lot Repairs and Replacements.

Requested changes from the previously approved CIP would:

• provide funding to renovate the Rockville Theatre Arts building;
• increase funding for the Collegewide Library Renovations to take advantage of State allowed escalation and mitigate inflationary costs;
• add funding for collegewide road and parking lot repairs and replacements;
• add funding for collegewide security systems;
• add major construction costs for the Germantown Student Services Center; and
• stabilize or increase annual funding for Level of Effort (LOE) and IT support projects.

Executive Recommendations

The County Executive recommends a total FY27-32 six-year CIP of $445.3 million, a $34.9 million, or 8.5 percent, increase over the prior approved biennial FY25-30 CIP. The recommended level of funding reflects the substantial completion of large projects such the Germantown Science and Applied Studies - Phase 1 Renovation and Rockville Student Services Center that have occurred in recent years, the addition of significant design and construction costs for the Germantown Student Affairs Building Renovation and Addition - Phase 2, and cost increases for the Germantown Student Services Center and library renovations.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Continue establishing a fourth College campus in East County;
• Add major construction costs for the Germantown Student Affairs Building Renovation and Addition beginning in FY31;
• Increase funding for the Collegewide Library Renovations to take advantage of State-allowed escalation and mitigate inflationary costs;
• Continue construction funding for the Germantown Student Services Center; and
• Stabilize annual funding for Level of Effort (LOE) and IT support projects.

Since the College's full request is not affordable due to fiscal limitations in County resources and significant cost increases in projects due to recent inflation, priority should be given to completing existing projects that add classroom, laboratory space, and study space; leverage State Aid; provide critical student support services; and maintain core infrastructure. The County Executive sustains funding of infrastructure maintenance, information technology, and LOE projects.

PROGRAM FUNDING

The College finances its FY27- FY32 six-year CIP using resources from five sources.

County General Obligation Bonds

The Executive's recommendation provides approximately $178.9 million of General Obligation Bonds for the College's capital program.

County Current Revenue

The recommended CIP includes approximately $100.1 million in Current Revenue funding to support various College infrastructure projects. Requested increases to Current Revenue allocations will also be considered when operating budget decisions are made.

State Aid

The County Executive's recommended CIP for the College includes State Aid of $162.7 million for FY27-32, or approximately 36.5 percent of total program costs. However, this figure may change depending on how the College and the County Council choose to make project adjustments due to affordability. The State of Maryland provides funding for the construction and renovation of State community colleges. The Annotated Code of Maryland says that a proposed capital project with a useful life of 15 years or more will be considered for funding. However, a renovation project such as a roof repair that exceeds $100,000 may also be considered for State funding. The State's Capital Improvement Program has programmed the Community College Facilities Grant Program at $80.0 million for FY27 and thereafter. The County Executive urges the College to continue pursuing State funding for all projects that meet the guidelines for funding from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Between FY21-FY26, Montgomery College has received annually between 7.6 percent and 28.6 percent of available resources in the statewide grant.

Transportation Facilities Capital Projects Fund

The County Executive's recommended CIP for the College includes $2 million of Transportation Facilities Capital Projects funds. This fund is supported by a per-credit student fee that must be used to support transportation operations including improvements such as maintaining parking garages, parking lots, and campus roadways.

Major Facilities Capital Projects Fund

The County Executive's recommended CIP includes $1.5 million in funding from the Major Facilities Capital Projects Fund (MFCPF). The student-fee derived fund is typically used for additions and renovations to non-administrative buildings, property, and debt service spending that does not typically compete well for State funds. This allows the College to focus requests for State Aid on larger academic projects.

ENROLLMENT

As of October 2025, there were a total of 20,023 students enrolled at Montgomery College in credit courses making it the largest community college in Maryland. The total number of full-time equivalent students (15 credit load hours of instruction per fall semester) enrolled in College credit programs was 12,005. This figure increased six percent from the previous fall. Multiple factors may affect enrollment projections going forward, including:

• The number of graduates and the College's "draw rate" of Montgomery County Public Schools' high school graduates, which is roughly 20 percent of total graduates;
• Increased distance education enrollments;
• Partnership with the Universities at Shady Grove;
• Dual enrollment programs which leverage both Montgomery County Public Schools and the College's classrooms;
• Innovative class scheduling in both remote and on-campus learning to meet the complicated schedule demands of students and to maximize the use of classroom space and seat utilization;
• Addition of an East County presence to provide access to an underserved region of the county;
• Efforts to modernize facilities to provide 21st century classrooms and labs that students need to graduate, prepare to transfer, or join the workforce;
• Building renovations that will deliver modern libraries to provide not only access to books which many students cannot afford but also access to technology and study space which is limited on campus and often not available to students elsewhere;
• An ignITe Innovation Hub paired with continued Montgomery Can Code camps for school children to spark interest in STEM disciplines and education;
• Implementation of hi-flex classrooms along with tools and training for faculty, staff, and students to support remote teaching and learning spaces - making the College more agile and flexible in response to dynamic external conditions, student demand, and learning needs provided through the judicious use of federal grant relief funds.

For details regarding enrollment estimates and assumptions, please refer to the "Enrollment Projections" chapter of the College's annual operating budget.

OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT

The enrollment forecast affects the College's operating budget because additional resources are required to maintain and operate any new facilities that are constructed or acquired. The College would also require funds to hire new faculty and staff to meet anticipated demand for courses and support services. The College does not display expected operating budget needs on the PDFs, but ultimately, the operating budget requests of the College will be considered in the context of the requests of all agencies.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Title 16 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland gives the County Council the power to make appropriations for capital projects of the College. Projects are financed under terms and conditions approved by the Council. In accordance with State law and the Montgomery County Charter, the College prepares an annual capital budget and capital improvements program.

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