News
Lowey Announces More Than $895,000 to Three Local Colleges for Student Support Services
August 7, 2020
U.S. Department of Education funds provide greater resources to assist low-income and disabled students
WHITE PLAINS, NY – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17/Rockland-Westchester), Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, announced $895,585 in federal funds for three local colleges. These competitive, five-year grant funds come from the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Support Services (SSS) Program, which is one of six TRIO programs that are designed to encourage and prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds for success from secondary school to undergraduate and graduate education. Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry will receive $338,972; Rockland Community College (RCC) in Suffern will receive $261,888; and Westchester Community College (WCC) in Valhalla will receive $294,725 in SSS funds to support undergraduate retention and graduation rates.
“Our higher education system should promote equal opportunity and success for all our students. That necessarily includes removing barriers faced by our historically marginalized students and instead bolstering their success with critical and ongoing supports, such as academic and career counseling, help with completing financial aid applications, improving financial literacy, tutoring, and providing temporary housing for students experiencing housing insecurity,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “TRIO programs, like Student Support Services, are proven to increase the number of students accessing and completing college. These grants are a step toward making higher education more equitable for all students across the Hudson Valley.”
Mercy College, which has received a TRIO grant for 40 years, will serve an estimated 250 students with their SSS funds, RCC will serve an estimated 150 participants, and WCC will serve an estimated 170 students with comprehensive academic, financial and personal counseling; career and transfer planning; academic support and tutoring; financial literacy and financial aid assistance; and leadership and student success programs.
“Mercy is excited to have the TRIO SSS Program Grant renewed for another five years,” said Tim Hall, Mercy College President. “The SSS Program provides the most deserving students with academic, personal and financial support to ensure academic success, persistence and the dream of a college degree.”
“I am very thankful to the US Department of Education for selecting Rockland Community College as a recipient of the TRIO Student Support Services grant,” said Dr. Michael Baston, Rockland Community College President. “With this funding, RCC will continue to ensure that it is serving the needs of the students who depend on its support the most; those suffering from economic hardships and those with disabilities. Those students will receive extra support beyond what is already available to them through the College’s offerings to ensure that they will be successful in their studies and “real world ready” upon their graduation. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Congresswoman Nita Lowey for her leadership in helping RCC secure this important grant.”
“Students who attend Westchester Community College benefit from an extensive and life-long network of opportunity and support,” said Dr. Belinda Miles, Westchester Community College President. “The TRIO Student Support Services grant provides services that help low-income and first-generation students and students with disabilities on pathways into four-year universities and high-wage middle skills careers. This grant continues a strong track record of exceptional results for students in the program for the next five years. We thank Congresswoman Lowey for her long-standing support and advocacy for Westchester Community College students.”
This competitive grant program awards funds to institutions of higher education that prioritize providing academic and other support services and opportunities for low-income, first-generation or disabled college students. Required program services include academic tutoring, assistance in post secondary course selection, assistance with financial aid programs and benefits, education to improve financial and economic literacy, help gaining admission and graduate and professional programs, and activities designed to assist students enrolled in two-years institutions of higher education apply to four-year programs. Additional services grantees may provide include temporary housing for homeless and foster care youth, student aid stipends, and related programs and activities designed specifically for special populations, such as students with limited English proficiency.