Education Department Awards more than $2.5 million for Seven Student Support Services Projects to Help Students Succeed in Higher Education

The U.S. Education Department today announced the award of $2,552,193 to seven institutions of higher education to provide some 1,765 students with the academic, financial, and motivational support they need to succeed in college. Funded through Student Support Services (SSS), the projects will provide students with academic tutoring, assistance in course selection, information about financial aid and economic literacy, and support and resources to help students transfer from two-year to four-year colleges or from undergraduate to graduate or professional studies. Optional activities also include individualized counseling and career guidance, exposure to cultural events, mentoring, and housing assistance during school breaks for students who are homeless or in foster care.

“In this era of the global economy, getting to college is not enough, it’s vital that students also succeed and reach the finishing line,” Duncan said. “These Student Support Services grants provide critical support to students who can benefit from extra assistance and encouragement along their college journey, enabling them to reach their personal goals and contribute to the economic vitality of our Nation.”

This year, SSS will also fund 1,021 continuation awards, along with these seven new grants. Together the 2012 projects will be providing academic preparation, mentoring, and a variety of support services to 202,750 participants across the country.

SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs, which provide outreach and student services for students from disadvantaged backgrounds -- low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities or in foster care -- to help them progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs.

For more information about the Student Support Services program, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/triostudsupp/index.html

A list of grantees follows, alphabetical by state, including the first year of funding of their 5-year grants:

Arkansas
North Arkansas College, Harrison; $317,068
Colorado
Colorado State University, Fort Collins; $377,282
Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma, Norman; $433,481
Oregon
Southwestern Oregon Community College, Coos Bay; $291,359
Puerto Rico
Universidad Metropolitan, San Juan; $292,337
South Dakota
Black Hills State University; $287,459
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin, Waukesha; $553,207