By Vicki Ungvarsky
On September 24, 2025, at The Foundation’s Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, it was announced that Medical Mutual was donating $1,000,000 to Cuyahoga Community College’s Resilient Scholar Fund. This fund is being launched this year to help students experiencing unexpected financial obstacles that may detour them from completing their Tri-C program and earning their certificate or degree.
To be eligible, one must be enrolled in a program at Tri-C that can lead to a degree or certificate and be unexpectantly experiencing financial burden. Certain high-demand industries are given priority in the process like Information Technology, Nursing and other health careers, Manufacturing, and Public Safety.
Recipients will receive guidance in both financial and budget planning, as well as other benefits and services. According to some recent Tri-C surveys, 74% of the students have financial difficulties. 61% of students said they would have difficulty finding $500.00 for an emergency room visit. 54% of students continue to have challenges finding and keeping affordable, safe and quality housing. 49% of students were food insecure, and 19% were without housing in the last 12 months.
While Tri-C has existing programs to help with some of this, such as the food pantry, the resilient scholar fund would provide a massive benefit for many.
Medical Mutual wants to help Tri-C students outside of the classroom and views this gift as a way to assist Tri-C in empowering students to contribute meaningfully to the regional workforce, per Tony Helton, president and CEO of Medical Mutual.
To apply for this fund, students can contact the Tri-C Foundation at foundation@tri-c.edu.
