The WVU Student Support Services has been selected to receive nearly $1.8 million over five years to assist first generation and income-eligible students, as well as students with disabilities, in developing the motivation and enhancing the skills needed to complete their college degrees.
Through a competitive grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO program, the funds will allow more than 200 undergraduates each academic year to access free one-on-one tutoring, assistance with the financial aid process and financial literacy, academic advising, graduate school preparation, computer workstations and a variety of activities and events to help transition to college life and complete their post-secondary degrees.
“We are thrilled that our funding has been renewed for another five years so we can continue to help our students overcome barriers and reach their goals,” said Student Support Services Director Cynthia Drumm. “The SSS team truly enjoys working with our undergrads every day, helping them stay the course, do well and complete their well-earned education at WVU. That can’t be accomplished without the generous backing of federal dollars through the TRIO program.”
Operating under the Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS), the goal of WVU Student Support Services is to increase college retention, persistence and graduation rates, particularly among students from vulnerable backgrounds.