Campus News
University at Albany Receives
TRIO Funding
(May
6, 2005)
The University at Albany is one of three
area institutions that will receive more than
$200,000 per year for four years in federal
funding from the U.S. Department of Education
under the TRIO Student Support Services Program.
Congressman Mike McNulty (D-Green Island)
said, "The TRIO Student Support
Services Program provides grants to institutions of higher education for projects
to increase the retention and graduation rates of low-income and first-generation
college students, including those with disabilities, create an institutional
climate supportive of their success, and help them transfer from two-year to
four-year institutions of higher learning."
The University's Project Excel will receive a total of $942,756 through
this grant. Grantee schools may use up to 20 percent of the total grant funds
for direct grant aid to eligible students. Fulton-Montgomery Community College
will receive $220,000 a year over four years, and Schenectady County Community
College was awarded $267,986 a year for four years.
"I can think of no other national program
that has had a greater and better impact on
bringing historically underrepresented students
into the mainstream of higher education than
the TRIO Program," said UAlbany President Kermit L. Hall. "It is
designed to reach out to and retain those students who otherwise might have missed
academic success in higher education, which is key to greater successes in life,
both professionally and personally. When they succeed, UAlbany succeeds."
Carson Carr, Jr., associate vice president
for Academic Affairs and director of the Educational
Opportunities Program, said, "This Student Support Services
grant will allow us additional academic support programming to help 160 economically
disadvantaged students and first-generation college students satisfy their goal
of a college education. This University has a long and distinguished history
in supporting low-income students, and this grant will enhance our legacy. We
are honored to receive this renewal grant."
The 160 students are low-income, matriculated,
non-EOP undergraduates in need of additional
academic support. They are served by Project
Excel, which is coordinated by Chris Fernando
in the Office of Academic Support Services.
Carr and Fernando applied for the grant. In
addition to these students, 145 EOP freshmen
join UAlbany each year.
The grant may be used to provide the following
services to undergraduates: instruction in
reading, writing, study skills and mathematics;
personal counseling; academic advising and
assistance in course selection; exposure to
cultural events and academic programs; activities
to acquaint students with a range of available
career options; mentoring programs; and helping
students secure admission and financial aid for enrollment in graduate
and professional programs.
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