Congressman Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, announced that 27 community colleges, colleges and universities across Iowa have received a total of $7,351,702 from the U.S. Department of Education to help increase college retention and graduation rates among high risk students.
The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program is a competitive grant that awards funds to institutes of higher education to provide academic and other support services to low-income, first-generation or disabled college students.
The program will help increase students’ retention and graduation rates, facilitate their transfer from two-year to four-year colleges, and foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of low-income and first generation college students and individuals with disabilities. Details of the grants are below.
“Having grown up in poverty I know first-hand the uphill battle many low-income students face. I was very lucky to have had the support of caring adults in my family, school and community, but all too frequently the story is much different,” Loebsack said. “Support for our students is critical to ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed in our 21st Century workforce. This funding will help schools and teachers comprehensively address their students’ needs, giving them the motivation to remain engaged in school and helping them to succeed academically.”
TRIO Program participants must be low-income, a first-generation college students or an individual with disabilities. All participants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of postsecondary education at an institution of higher education and have a need for academic support.
Required TRIO Program services include academic tutoring; advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection; information on financial aid programs and benefits and assistance in completing financial aid applications, including the FAFSA; education or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy; activities designed to assist participants enrolled in four-year institutions in applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in, graduate and professional programs; and activities designed to assist students enrolled in two-years institutions of higher education in applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in, four-year programs of postsecondary education.
Central College- $284,754
Marshalltown Community College- $145,350
Southeastern Community College- $355,656
Ellsworth Community College- $220,000
Graceland University- $292,340.00
Briar Cliff University- $280,161
Coe College- $284,754
Eastern Iowa Community College District- $279,414
Kirkwood Community College- $284,754
North Iowa Area Community College- $292,340
Iowa Lakes Community College- $281,490
Hawkeye Community College- $247,584
University of Dubuque- $220,000
Indian Hills Community College- $284,361
Southwestern Community College- $262,557
Iowa Central Community College- $247,583
Des Moines Area Community College- $329,069
Northeast Iowa Community College- $231,103
Northwest Iowa Community College- $241,643
Simpson College- $231,103
University of Iowa- $347,409
Iowa Western Community College- $284,051
Iowa State University- $331,883
Luther College- $284,754
University of Northern Iowa- $312,917
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Denison- $213,180
Western Iowa Tech Community College- $281,492