FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT:
July 17, 2015 Brenda Rangel 956.564.1527
PRESS RELEASE: Vela Announces $2.5M In Grants For Texas A&M-Kingsville
U.S. Department of Education Funds Will Support TRIO Student Support Services Program
Kingsville, Texas – U.S. Representative Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, announced that Texas A&M University-Kingsville was awarded $2,553,965 in grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Funds will be used to support the school’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Medical Programs (STEM).
“These funds are not only an investment in our youth, but also our future,” said U.S. Rep. Vela. “First generation students will continue to have access to the tools and resources that will help them complete STEM degree programs successfully, allow technology companies to hire locally, and most importantly, bring more South Texas 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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