Ohio Higher Ed Institutions Receive $6.6M from USDOE for Student Support Services Program

A total of 21 higher education institutions in Ohio received over $6.6 million from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to provide thousands of students with academic and other support services they need to succeed in college.

USDOE announced the award of a total of $270 million to 968 institutions of higher education nationwide earlier in July.

The grants are aimed at helping to increase the number of low-income college students, first-generation students and those with disabilities who successfully complete a program of study at the postsecondary level. 

"Every student has the right to an equal opportunity to learn and succeed in college," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in the news release. "These grants provide critical support to students who can benefit from extra help and encouragement along their college journey, enabling them to reach their personal goals and contribute to the economic vitality of our nation."

Successful projects under the Student Support Services (SSS) Program will provide students with academic tutoring, assistance in course selection, information about financial aid and economic literacy, and support and resources to help students transfer from two-year to four-year colleges or from undergraduate to graduate or professional studies. Some additional services that may be offered under this grant may include the following activities: individualized counseling and career guidance, exposure to cultural events, mentoring, and housing assistance during school breaks for students who are homeless or in foster care.

According to USDOE, "SSS is one of seven Federal TRIO Programs, which provide outreach and student services for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, low income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities, foster care youth or homeless children and youth -- to help them progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs."

Additional information on the Student Support Services program can be found online at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/triostudsupp/index.html.

A list of Ohio's grantees follows, including the current year funding:

Athens                  Ohio University - $315,141
Bowling Green       Bowling Green State University - $567,541
Cincinnati              Cincinnati State Technical and Community College - $273,270
University of Cincinnati - $247,584
Xavier University - $224,364
Cleveland              Cleveland State University - $520,025
Cuyahoga Community College District - $220,000
Cuyahoga Community College District/Metropolitan Campus - $292,340
Cuyahoga Community College District/Western Campus - $213,180
Columbus               Columbus State Community College - $247,584
Ohio State University/Wooster - $300,830
Dayton                   Sinclair Community College - $281,511
Kent                       Kent State University - $443,212
Mansfield                North Central State College - $220,000
Nelsonville              Hocking Technical College - $281,511
North Canton          Stark State College - $231,103
Perrysburg              Owens State Community College - $220,000
Springfield              Clark State Community College - $245,090
Steubenville            Eastern Gateway Community College - $230,666
Sylvania                  Lourdes University - $271,404
Toledo                     University of Toledo - $231,103
Wilberforce             Central State University - $372,549
Zanesville               Zane State College - $220,000