Support & Empowerment Program
Services for Special Populations as defined by Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V)
Eligible Students:
If you are a student enrolled in a Workforce education program (AAS degree or certificate) and meet a t least one of the following classifications, McLennan Community College offers special services to help you succeed in college and in life.
- Individual with a disability registered with MCC's Office of Accommodations
- Economically disadvantaged or low-income individual
- Individual preparing for a non-traditional field for their gender
- Single parent or single pregnant woman
- Out-of-workforce individual or displaced homemakers who have been widowed, left, divorced, or have a disabled spouse
- Individuals whose dominant and native language is not English
- Individual who is experiencing homelessness or has experienced homelessness within the past 12 months
- Current or former foster care youth
- Dependent of an active duty member of the armed forces
After meeting the initial eligibility requirements above, you must also meet ALL of the eligibility requirements listed in the Program Guidelines.
Our Mission:
The Mission of the Support and Empowerment Program (SEP) is to promote student success by providing emotional, academic, and financial support to McLennan Community College students who meet the definition of special populations according to the Carl Perkins Basic Grant.
This program began in 1979 as a community service of the Junior League of Waco, Inc. The focus was on serving single parent and displaced homemaker students at MCC. Since that time this program has helped more than 7,000 students discover within themselves the strength to begin a new life. As of fall 2019, this program has expanded to serve a broader population of students in need.
Services include:
- Reimbursement for textbooks and transportation expenses
- Academic Counseling
- Crisis Intervention
- Referrals to Local Agencies
- Stress Management
- Support Meetings
- Workshops on Relevant Topics
Application Instructions
Are you interested in learning more about the Support and Empowerment Program? We are here to support you! Please watch the video below for more information about SEP and the application process.
The application is now open for Spring 2024. The application will close December 3 rd at 11:59pm.
"Reminder: Space is LIMITED. SEP accepts 60 students per semester, plus 10 students next in line for the waitlist. The application will automatically close once we have reached our capacity."
Apply Here: SEP Application
Note: Current SEP students in good standing receive priority over new applicants. Eligible students who are not accepted into the program will be placed on a waiting list for availability of funds. All interested students should (re)apply every semester. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding as we have a limited amount of funding available.
Additional application resources:
- Sample Financial Aid Award Letter (PDF)
- Sample Student Aid Report (PDF)
- How to fill out SEP Declaration Forms using Adobe Reader (PDF)
- How to fill out a PDF using Adobe Fill & Sign (video)
We look forward to hearing from you! We're always here to help and support you!
Call us at 299-8226 or email us at sep@mclennan.edu Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Contact Us:
Brooke Schumacher
SEP Success Coach
299-8600
bschumacher@mclennan.edu
Carrie Tran
SEP Success Coach
299-8569
ctran@mclennan.edu