Indiana University East has been awarded a five-year federal grant from the United States Department of Education for its Student Support Services (SSS) program, which provides individualized support and comprehensive programming to promote students’ academic success and personal growth.

The grant covers a five-year period beginning September 1. The grant will allow IU East to continue and enhance the TRIO program, a federal outreach and student services program designed to identify and provide services for individuals from low-income families, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities.

IU East is among several colleges and universities in Indiana selected to receive grants through the U.S. Department of Education for the TRIO Student Support Services Program. IU East will receive $269,459 during the first year of the grant, and the total five-year amount is projected at more than $1.3 million. With the grant, IU East’s TRIO program will expand to serve 200 students.

The TRIO program at IU East helps students with all aspects of their college experience including personal, financial, academic, and cultural. The program aims to ensure a positive campus climate for first generation college students, to help them remain in good academic standing, and to assist them with plans for graduate or professional school.

“Student Support Services is grateful and excited to continue to serve first generation students at IU East over the next five years. We look forward to launching new initiatives in the funded grant proposal while continuing to guide first generation, low-income, students with disabilities in their pursuit of a college degree,” said Brett Crowley, director of Student Support Services.

SSS offers numerous services at IU East, such as personalized four-year academic planning, professional writing assistance, community-building activities and academic skills development for time.

Regina Thompson, a senior psychology major at IU East, benefits from the services provided to students through the program.

“Returning to school full time can be stressful and demanding. SSS has exceeded my expectations. From tutoring to preparation for a job interview and all things in between, SSS has been amazing and very much appreciated,” Thompson said.

Since 2010, the IU East TRIO program’s retention rates have averaged 72.2 percent, and SSS students’ retention and graduation rates equal or exceed the rates shown by the overall student body.

For more information, contact Student Support Services at 765-973-8310.