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Two Colleges Awarded Support Services Grants

August 3, 2015

Congresswoman Robin Kelly announced today that Prairie State College and Kankakee Community College have been awarded multi-year federal grants to provide support services aimed at increasing the graduation rates of first-generation and low-income students.

Prairie State College will receive $220,000, while Kankakee Community College was awarded $281,510, with both grants to be distributed over a five-year period.

"Studies have shown that providing economically disadvantaged students with consistent coaching and individualized counseling for career guidance and academics greatly improves their scholastic performance and success rates," Rep. Kelly said. "These support programs are doing a phenomenal job of helping lower income students achieve success in education, ultimately lifting a new generation of Americans into the middle class."

Dr. Terri Winfree, president of Prairie State College, said the funding "will allow us to continue providing those essential services designed to assist first-generation and low-income students, as well students with disabilities, as they navigate college. PSC's TRiO program is crucial to our students and we have so many student success stories as a result of this important program."

"Over the next five years we look forward to continue serving low-income and first-generation college students by providing intrusive academic advising, career exploration and transfer assistance," said Kimberlee Harpin, director of Support Services at Kankakee Community College. "We are excited to continue our mission to increase the college retention and graduation rates of our students."

The grants were awarded through the U.S. Department of Education.

Issues:Education