Indiana Wesleyan University has been selected by the U.S. Department of Education to receive continued funding under the Student Support Services (SSS) Program called TRiO, which supports academically at-risk students. The program has been awarded $279,734 to use over the next year and will continue to receive the grant for five years, totaling nearly $1.4 million. TRiO has received one-hundred percent of its funding from this grant since 1980.
“Coming to college is a huge step, regardless of a student’s background,” said Director of TRiO SSS Program Karen Newhard. “We are thrilled that the grant was refunded and we can continue to serve our students with these resources.”
TRiO is a program that supports first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities in transition from high school through college graduation. TRiO advisors work individually with students to support them in their academic, career, and personal needs through tutoring, academic accountability, financial literacy training, and more. From the 2013 to 2014 academic year, 91.6 percent of TRiO students returned to IWU or graduated. During the 2013-2014 academic year, 96 percent of TRiO students were in good academic standing.
“This program enables us to support students whom the Department of Education has classified as at-risk of not completing their higher education experience,” said Nate Herring, executive director of the Center for Student Success. “We offer students the academic, emotional, and social connections that will help them achieve their postsecondary dreams and goals.”
Part of the renewed grant will go towards new initiatives like producing a TRiO guidebook, which will compile stories and advice from previous TRiO students. Current TRiO students will have the opportunity to hear from others who have been successful despite many obstacles, doubts, and fears.
For more information on IWU’s TRiO Student Support Services program, click here.
