Concluded: Monty Tech 24

Donations received after December 3 will support the next student cohort, IT Support technician students in Springfield MA, that will be announced in January.

This campaign raises funds for students working for their Practical Nursing License at Montachusett Regional Vocational School in Fitchburg MA to receive a Boost Award for your First Credential. Boost Fund For Students is excited to be working with Monty Tech on this pilot launch of our micro-grant awards initiative.

Monty Tech students are typically adults returning for formal professional training, many supporting families while succeeding in school. Once credentialled, the jobs obtained by Licensed Practical Nurses provide a wage bump that is absolutely transformative for families. As shown on this list from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, at $59,730 (in 2023), LPNs earn the highest wages for roles not requiring a degree. Being the recipient of a Boost micro-grant allows students to stress a little less about their finances and concentrate on their studies, or finish with smaller loans to repay.

About this Training Program

This academically rigorous, accredited program at Montachusett Regional Vocational school trains adult students for the Licensed Professional Nurse exam. The 10 month training includes evening in-person classes in their state-of-the-art classroom and offsite clinical training. Students must pass an entrance exam to be admitted. That combined with the in-person format, outstanding teaching environment, and attention to each student's progress results in a high program completion rate and around 90% of graduates passed the licensing exam last year. For more information about this excellent program, view their home page.

Like other professional training, Nursing students at Monty Tech face alot of costs to get through the program. Not only typical school expenses like tuition, lab fees, and books, but additional charges for uniforms, the license exam fee, and insurance. Expected costs for 2024 total to over $16,000.

Application fee: $100
Seat fee: $100
Tuition: $11,850
Fees: $2,500
State License Exam Fee: $430
Uniforms: $350 (est)
Books: $1,100 (est)
Liability Insurance: $38
Additional fee if out of district: $2,000

(You can see all the expenses students in this program must cover on page 6 of the Student Financial Aid Handbook).

Even though some of those costs can be offset by financial aid and loans, for students from low-income backgrounds, paying for the added transportation and child care so they can get to class and clinicals can be a struggle. Many students cut back on their work schedules to make time for schooling, and many are supporting children or other family members while in school.

About Monty Tech's Student Body

Monty Tech students are typically adults returning for formal professional training, many supporting families while succeeding in school. Around 30% are single parents and over 20% receive SNAP benefits. The LPN program has around a 5-to-1 ratio of students identifying as women.

Over 50% of students in the program typically have incomes that meet the criteria for federal Pell grant support to cover a portion of their tuition (according to NCES stats).

Fundraising Goal

We anticipate around 45 students will be in the cohort for this award. So, the goal is to raise $22,500 to provide $500 to qualifying students. The actual amount of grants available depends on how much is donated.

Help us make this inaugural year of Boost Fund For Students a big success!