The Maricopa County Community College District will host its fourth Be a Student’s Hero Day of Giving on May 3, a day created to share student stories, highlight college programs, increase awareness and raise money to support students' educational journeys. 

The fundraising effort is led by the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation in partnership with the system’s ten colleges, a press release stated. 

This year, the ten-college system and MCCF hope to raise $205,000 district-wide to directly support students in areas including basic living expenses, emergency funds, campus food pantries as well as traditional school-related fees including tuition, textbooks and supplies.

One such student who has benefited from emergency funds raised through Be A Student’s Hero is Dilpreet K., who is currently studying phlebotomy at one of MCCCD’s ten colleges, according to the release. 

“I cannot express how thankful I am to be gifted this chance to afford school. With this funding, I can now pay for books and supplies needed for my studies,” Dilpreet stated in the release. 

Dilpreet went on to explain that this opportunity spoke to them, allowing them to focus on their goals and school without worrying about making ends meet at a mentally and physically stressful job.

To increase awareness of Be a Student’s Hero, MCCF is working with community partners such as Swire Coca-Cola and Sodexo on various marketing efforts including a drawing and in-store displays at select Fry’s Food Stores, the release explained. 

“Initiatives like Be a Student’s Hero Day allow us to connect our diverse student population with the financial resources needed to ensure they can achieve their academic goals, without anything standing in their way,” MCCCD Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales stated in the release.

Be a Student’s Hero was created in 2021 after MCCF saw a 957% increase in student requests for emergency assistance. 

“The requests we received for support during the pandemic were unprecedented and unfortunately, with the rise of inflation, they have continued,” Brian F. Spicker, MCCF president and CEO, stated in the release. “Each and every day we are trying to remove the barriers to success that students face and Be a Student’s Hero helps us to do just that.”

Contributions for Be a Student’s Hero Day of Giving are being accepted here. Donors can select to support the dedicated cause each college has identified as their greatest need or select a specific fund of their choosing. 

Those looking to support scholarship opportunities for MCCCD students can learn more here.