Cornerstone: The Center for Advanced Learning has received a $1.76 million five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund the TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) program.
“This grant provides important resources to assist students in financial need or are first in their family to attend college,” says Robert H. Koff, PhD, director of Cornerstone.
More than 40 years ago, the federal government made a commitment to providing education opportunities for academic development; assisting and motivating students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education.
In support of this commitment, Congress established a series of programs to help students overcome academic, social, cultural and class barriers to higher education. These programs are referred to as TRiO because initially only three programs were created. TRiO programs target students who are first in their families to go to college, are low-income by federal guidelines or have a disability.
Washington University has maintained TRiO grant funding since the early 1970s, although a national competition for TRiO funds is conducted every four or five years.
Approximately 10 percent of WUSTL’s 7,110 undergraduates are TRiO eligible; however, the funds awarded support comprehensive services for 200 selected students.
For more information regarding the university’s TRiO SSS program or eligibility, call LaShawnda Fields at (314) 935-8802.