Bemidji State University’s TRIO/Student Support Services programs will continue through 2021 as part of a five-year, $2.154 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The award will fund BSU’s TRIO/Student Support Services at $430,873 per year during the five-year grant period, which begins in 2016.
TRIO/SSS programming aims to improve college retention and completion rates for first-generation and low income college students and students with disabilities. Participation is voluntary and is free of charge to eligible students. BSU has been offering TRIO/SSS programming each year since 1970.
“Bemidji State’s Student Support Services programs offer an additional resource for students who aren’t necessarily familiar with the college environment,” said Kelli Steggall, director BSU’s TRIO/Student Support Services. “This funding allows us to have programs such as inclusive advising, one-on-one tutoring and skills development classes that are offered at no charge to the students.”
Steggall says the grant will help BSU add a developmental math course that will be offered to students during the summer. Any student who is eligible for TRIO programs and is in need of developmental coursework in math will be able to enroll in the course at no charge.
“This developmental math course will help prepare our students for college-level work, and help BSU pursue Charting the Future’s goal to provide our students with access to a high-quality education,” Steggall said.
Charting the Future is the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities’ a system-wide strategic planning project. The system, of which BSU is a member, aims to ensure access to an extraordinary education for all Minnesotans; to position the system’s colleges and universities as the partner of choice to meet the needs of Minnesota’s workforce and communities; and to deliver students, employers, taxpayers and communities the highest value, most-affordable education options.
BSU’s TRIO program is one of 968 funded projects in the U.S. Department of Education’s 2015 Student Support Services competition from a total of 1,476 proposals. The competition is providing a total of $270 million to fund projects focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, veterans, English as a Second Language, teacher preparation and students with disabilities. Competitions for the five-year grant program are held every four years.
About the U.S. Department of Education TRiO Student Support Services Program
Through a grant competition, The U.S. Department of Education awards funds to higher education institutions to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. Student Support Services projects also may provide grant aid to current participants who are receiving federal Pell Grants. The goal of the program is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.
Contact
• Kelli Steggall, director, TRIO/Student Support Services, (218) 755-2504, ksteggall@bemidjistate.edu
Links
• Bemidji State University’s TRIO/Student Support Services program
• U.S. Department of Education TRIO program
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Bemidji State University, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling nearly 5,000 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. University signature themes include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and global and multi-cultural understanding.