Students take a break from college for many reasons but making a return isn’t always as easy as it seems. That’s why Monroe Community College is taking steps to make sure the door is always open for students who return.

The Return to Complete program allows students who’ve been gone for at least three years to return to school with their debt withheld until after the degree is completed.

More than 160 students have entered the program so far, including Crystal Simmons.

The mother of five says she struggled with whether or not to return to school for years because she knew she owed money.

This fall, her son Gavin fell ill with appendicitis. At the time, the surgeon thought it was a virus and wanted to send him home. However, Crystal said she knew from her small medical background that something wasn’t right.

“I knew to ask for that CT scan, but there are so many parents that don’t’ know. They don’t’ know anything about medicine. They don’t know anything about illnesses or things like that and I thought I knew how to advocate for Gavin,” Simmons said. “If I lost my little baby, my whole live would have been changed and I don’t want other parents to have to go through that if they don’t have to.”

Two days after her son’s surgery she received an email from MCC about the program and she knew it was a sign.  She said she almost lost herself and doesn't want other parents to feel that same way.

Students who qualify can still be awarded financial aid and scholarships.