News

UA-PTC receives TRiO funding to serve first-generation college students

UA - Pulaski Tech has been awarded $1,375,525 to continue its TRiO Student Support Services program benefiting first-generation, low-income and disabled college students through the year 2025.

U.S. Rep. French Hill notified college officials in August 2020.

The TRIO Student Support Services Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and provides funding for special outreach and academic support services for low-income students, most of whom are the first in their families to go to college. Students must be first-generation college students (neither parent has a baccalaureate), meet income requirements based on family size, and/or have a documented disability. Program services include academic advising, professional tutoring, financial literacy, college transfer assistance, cultural events, and enrichment workshops.

The grant application was very competitive. Nationwide, 1,900 colleges submitted proposals, and 1,100 were funded. In addition, grant applicants had to show a compelling reason to be funded. Existing grant recipients were required to provide data showing that each program met or exceeded objectives.

“Prior approval for TRiO funding doesn’t guarantee a continuation of funding,” said program director MaryKate Snow. “We provide data points that establish how important these programs are to the students we serve. For many, it’s truly the difference between attaining a college degree or not.”

“The college has reason to celebrate the continued success of TRiO. I commend the staff and leadership of TRiO Student Support Services for their proven record of success as well as their follow-through in serving our students,” said UA-PTC Chancellor Margaret Ellibee. “Again and again, we see successful students whose lives are changed by meeting their educational goals, and the lives of their families are improved as well.”

UA – Pulaski Tech’s TRiO program began in 2005, prior to the college’s UA System affiliation and now serves 180 students. The most recent three-year data shows that 73% percent of UA - Pulaski Tech's TRiO participants graduated within three years, 87% percent persisted from one year to the next, 53% percent graduated and transferred to a four year college or university, and 93% percent were in good academic standing.

For additional information about TRiO Student Support Services, visit www.uaptc.edu/trio or call (501) 812-2720 or e-mail [email protected].