Money will help fund the university's Student Support Services Program

Washington, DC - 12^th District Congressman John Barrow (D-GA) announced today that Savannah State University will receive a $278,295 grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the university's Student Support Services (SSS) Program.  SSS programs provide tutoring and counseling services to low-income and disadvantaged students working to earn their college and university degrees. 

"I'm pleased to announce that Savannah State has been selected to receive this grant," Rep. Barrow said.  "For well over a century, Savannah State has served our community as an institution of academic excellence.  And the university's SSS program helps make sure every students has access to all the resources, support, and guidance they need to help earn their degrees and to get ahead." 

SSS is one of the nation's seven TRIO programs - performance-based education initiatives that work to ensure equal education opportunities for all Americans.  Currently, there are SSS programs at over 938 colleges and universities nationwide.  The goal of these programs is to increase the college retention and graduation rates for low-income and disadvantaged students. 

Offering opportunities to help improve academic development, SSS programs help students fulfill their basic college requirements by providing tutoring services, career counseling, mentoring, personal and financial counseling, academic advisement, and financial aid assistance.  In addition to providing support services, grantees may use up to 20 percent of the total federal grant funds for direct financial assistance to current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants. 

"The SSS program is a valuable resource for many students here at Savannah State," Lawrence Simmons, Director of the University's Student Support Services Program said.  "Time and again, Congressman Barrow has shown his commitment to helping Savannah State better serve our students.  This grant will help us continue one of our most important student assistance programs."

For more information on the Student Support Services Program, or other federal TRIO education initiatives, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/index.html.

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Contact: Harper Lawson, (202) 225-2823

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