Harvey Mudd College’s free homework hotline returns Monday, September 12. The service, reachable at (877) 827-5462, helps students in grades four through 12 understand their homework.

Launched in 2010, the hotline provides free, over-the-phone tutoring to students for math and science in the greater Los Angeles region and Inland Empire. Thousands of students have utilized the line since its formation.

Hotline tutors, also students at Harvey Mudd, help callers with homework questions, then encourage them to try solving similar problems on their own.

Student privacy is key and tutors do not ask for names or phone numbers; however, callers will be asked to share their school and grade level for reporting purposes.

Lines are open Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. The hotline will be inactive certain days of the academic year, including national holidays, during HMC semester breaks, and finals week.

For an effective call, students should be prepared with the following: homework assignment(s), textbook(s), paper, a pencil or pen, a calculator for math and a calendar for organization.

The free service is funded by HMC and the Simons Foundation. For details, visit https://www.hmc.edu/community-engagement/homework-hotline. The Homework Hotline is reachable at (877) 827-5462.