Carla Pickett needed a break.

In 1994, a diagnosis of Crohn's disease forced her to leave Morgan State University, where she was an honors student planning to become a doctor. Five years later, she was feeling better, but juggling being a single mother with starting school again was a tall order.

For her, scholarships at Howard Community College for much of her tuition, and about $800 for books, day care and other expenses went a long way toward enabling her to concentrate on school and pursue a career in nursing. "This is still giving me the chance to reach my goals," Pickett said.

Stories such as Pickett's, told at a Howard Community College luncheon yesterday, were intended by the college to show donors and students that a scholarship is more than money.

"We are trying to show [the donors] the investment they are making in the young people," said Ardell Terry, the school's chief development officer. Scholarships "are transformational gifts. They help us to alter the future of the college and give the young people the support they need."

Students thanked their benefactors at the event and talked about the ways in which private donations have helped them, from relieving financial burdens to supporting academic and enrichment programs to paying for trips abroad.

The college estimates total expenses for a student living at home to be $8,767 for nine months of full-time study.

Twenty-eight percent of students receive some type of financial aid, said Kate Hetherington, vice president of student services.

This year, in addition to more than $400,000 in financial aid from public sources, private donors covered $230,000 in student assistance, Terry said. But there is still a $350,000 projected shortfall compared with what students are requesting.

As a community college, HCC does not turn anybody away, Terry said, so there is a strong need to help everyone who wants to attend the school.

Many donor dollars go beyond helping students pay the bills; they go to supporting programs that help HCC compete for motivated students. Many such donations go to the James W. Rouse Scholars Program, which offers academic, leadership, cultural and recreational activities for high-performing students.

HCC President Mary Ellen Duncan said the luncheon is great because "the students feel someone is behind them."

Pickett found that thought inspiring. She said, "People are helping me, I really have to do good."