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July 17, 2015                                                                                       Brenda Rangel 956.564.1527

                                                                                                                                         

Vela Announces $1.4M Grant for UTB

U.S. Department of Education Funds Will Support TRIO Student Support Services Program

 

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Representative Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, announced that The University of Texas at Brownsville was awarded $1,461,700 in grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Funds will be used to support the school’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program.

 

“These funds are a direct investment in our youth and community,” said U.S. Rep. Vela. “First generation students will continue to have access to the tools and resources that will help them complete their degree programs, and bring their families into the middle class.”

 

Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education 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 (SSS) projects also may provide grant aid to current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants. The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.  

 

The purpose of SSS is to provide academic and other support services to low-income, first-generation or disabled college students to 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. 

 

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