The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Georgian Court a new TRIO–Student Support Services grant for more than $1.69 million over the next five years to help first generation, low-income, and students with disabilities succeed in college and graduate. GCU has been a TRIO–SSS institution for 40 years.
“TRIO-SSS is a vital program that provides academic and financial assistance for our eligible students, many of whom are the first in their family to attend college,” said President Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D. “TRIO–SSS is needed now, more than ever, as many of our students and their families are suffering additional hardships from the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic.”
“The TRIO–SSS program fully aligns with our Mercy core values and our mission of supporting our students every step of the way,” President Marbach said.
GCU’s TRIO–SSS program provides an array of services to 160 qualifying students each year to foster their academic achievement and personal success. These comprehensive services include academic tutoring, basic skills instruction, academic coaching, graduate school counseling, financial literacy training, cultural enrichment opportunities, and limited financial assistance for students with demonstrated need.
As part of its mission, Georgian Court devotes significant academic and financial resources to its student population, many of whom are the first in their family to attend college. Among GCU’s undergraduate student population, 40% of students are the first in their family to attend college and 43% are Pell grant recipients.
“TRIO–SSS provides critical academic support and life skills training to help our students thrive during their time at GCU and after graduation,” said Provost Janice Warner. “Importantly, TRIO highlights the importance of educational equity and access.”
Georgian Court has successfully administered the TRIO–SSS program for four decades. The new grant will run over a five-year cycle.
“We’re excited to continue providing GCU students with the essential services of the TRIO–SSS program,” said Danielle Staten Lamb, director of GCU’S TRIO–SSS program. “We have seen firsthand the positive impact TRIO has on the lives of our students. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our TRIO scholars and promote the importance of college access and success.”
The federal TRIO–SSS program began in 1968 as one of the eight “TRIO” programs authorized by the Higher Education Act to help college students succeed in higher education. It recognizes that students whose parents do not have a college degree have more difficulties navigating the complexity of decisions that college requires for success; bolsters students from low-income families who have not had the academic opportunities that their college peers have had, and helps students with disabilities remove obstacles preventing them from thriving academically.
For more information and to apply to GCU’s TRIO–SSS program, visit GCU TRIO–SSS or e-mail sss@georgian.edu.
