April 5, 2005

College receives grant for more than $250,000 for Student Support Services

Cowley College is one of several Kansas colleges to receive federal money for the TRIO Student Support Services Program.

Cowley was awarded a $267,986 grant. The funds will be used for the first year of the new grant cycle, which will begin in September 2006.

Cowley’s grant was renewed (refunded) for another five years, which only the top 15 percent of point-getters receive.

“The amount is about $12,000 more than our budget now,” said Heather Allen, director of Student Support Services at Cowley. “But we’ll also be supporting 160 students, compared to the 150 we do now.”

Cowley is in year four of its current five-year cycle.

The grants are awarded to institutions of higher education for projects offering support services to increase the retention and graduation rates of low-income and first-generation college students, students with disabilities, and to facilitate their transfer from two-year to four-year colleges.

“Unfortunately, a college education may seem out of reach for some Kansans who might be the first in their family to attend college or who are disabled,” said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas. “I am pleased to announce this important funding to students who need it the most.”

Following are some of the services Cowley’s program provides:

Intensive instruction for math and English; one-on-one tutoring; educational workshops, conferences, retreats and programs; academic advising; career exploration and preview; a resource library; and transfer visits.

The grant money also goes toward technology for students, including computers, software, graphing calculators, tape recorders, alpha smart equipment, and a color printer. Eligible students also can receive Supplemental Grant Aid to help pay for college expenses.

The grant also pays for cultural enrichment activities, covers administrative costs such as staff salaries, supplies and equipment, and indirect costs such as office space, electricity and phones.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded the funds. Roberts is a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.