IOWA CITY, IOWA (August 6, 2020) — Representative Dave Loebsack announced that 26 community colleges, colleges, and universities across Iowa have received a total of $8,258,429 from the US 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 when working to achieve a post-high school education. I was very lucky to have had the support of my teachers, principals, and community, but all too frequently the story is much different,” said Rep Loebsack. “Support for low-income and first-generation students is critical to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed in our 21st Century workforce. These grants will help Iowa’s community colleges, colleges, and universities comprehensively address students’ needs, giving them the motivation to remain engaged and helping them to succeed academically.”
TRIO SSS Program participants must be low-income, first-generation college students or an individual with disabilities. All participants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of post-secondary education at an institution of higher education and have a need for academic support.
Required SSS Program services include academic tutoring; Advice and assistance in post-secondary 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.
FY2020 Student Support Services Program grantees include:
North Iowa Area Community College — $348,002
Northeast Iowa Community College — $275,105
Iowa State University of Science and Technology — $395,073
Western Iowa Tech Community College — $261,888
Briar Cliff University — $333,505
Iowa Western Community College — $338,135
Southeastern Community College — $380,984
Des Moines Area Community College — $391,724
Kirkwood Community College — $338,972
University of Iowa — $413,556
Indian Hills Community College — $338,504
Graceland University — $348,002
Coe College — $338,972
Eastern Iowa Community College District — $332,615
Western Iowa Tech Community College — $335,057
University of Dubuque — $254,258
Central College — $338,972
Kirkwood Community College — $261,888
Northwest Iowa Community College — $287,651
Iowa Valley Community College District — $173,026
Iowa Lakes Community College — $335,086
Simpson College — $266,782
Southwestern Community College — $312,549
Iowa Valley Community College District — $224,429
Luther College — $338,972
Iowa Central Community College — $294,722
Total- $8,258,429
