WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps today announced a $275,426 grant to help California Polytechnic State University students stay in college and complete their academic programs. The TRIO Student Support Services Program of the U.S. Department of Education offers these grants to colleges and universities through a competitive process.
About 250 low-income and first-generation students at Cal Poly will benefit from this four-year grant. The university has been receiving this grant for nearly 25 years.
“I am thrilled to announce this Student Support Services grant for Cal Poly,” Congresswoman Capps said. “Its history of helping low-income and first-generation students with the college process from admission through graduation is impressive. The services provided by Cal Poly ease the transition for those students and help them through the completion of a four-year degree. Helping students get their college education is something vitally important for all of the residents of the Central Coast.”
The Student Support Services grants are allocated for projects helping low-income and first-generation college students. They can be used for instruction in reading, writing, study skills and mathematics; tutoring; academic advising; cultural events and academic programs; assistance with admission and financial aid for graduate and professional programs; and mentoring. A portion of the grant also may be used for scholarship awards.
“This year’s TRIO grant competition was extremely demanding. The Department of Education required programs to demonstrate a new level of excellence both in past performance as well as future programming,” said Jeannine M. Di Pasquale, interim assistant director of Student Support Services at California Polytechnic State University. “Cal Poly’s Student Support Services program is proud to be selected to continue a 25-year tradition of providing programs and services that increase the retention and graduation rates of students who are the first in their family to attend college.”
