Coleman Announces $7.9 million for 25 Minnesota colleges and universities
Funding for Student Support Services to help improve retention and graduation rates for disabled, low-income, and first generation college students

Senator Norm Coleman announced in April that the Department of Education has awarded $7,997,434 in grants to 25 Minnesota colleges and universities to provide support for Student Support Services (SSS) projects across the state. SSS projects are intended to improve college students’ retention and graduation rates, as well as improve the transfer rates of students from two-year colleges to four-year colleges.

“I am pleased to announce this significant funding that has been awarded to our state’s colleges and universities,” said Coleman. “Student Support Services projects have a great impact in our schools by providing the necessary tools, resources and support our college and university students need in order to help them stay in school and graduate. Our universities deserve recognition for the backing they give to students who might not otherwise get the support and encouragement they need to succeed and stay in school.”

At least two-thirds of SSS participants in any project must be either disabled individuals or low-income, first-generation college goers. The remaining participants must be low-income, or first-generation college goers, or disabled. SSS projects also provide a number of services to students, such as academic help in development of study skills, writing, math, and other subjects; academic counseling; exposure to cultural events; help with the financial aid process, and other career programs and assistance.

The SSS program is part of Sen. Edward Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) amendment that was offered and passed last week on the Senate floor by a vote of 51-49. Kennedy’s amendment included Sen. Coleman’s proposal to increase the Pell Grant maximum award per student to $4,500; provide a guarantee of up to $23,000 in student loan forgiveness to new high school math, science and special education teachers who agree to teach for four years; restoration of Bush budget eliminations of TRIO, GEAR UP, LEAP, and Perkins loans, as well as restoration of budget cuts to job training/adult literacy and vocational education.

In selecting grantees for the SSS program, Secretary Spellings took into consideration an institution’s efforts to provide participants with aid sufficient to meet full financial need and to constrain student debt.

Twin Cities metropolitan area colleges and universities receiving grants:

Century Community College:$308,084
Augsburg College: $235,689
Normandale Community College: $276,454
Anoka-Ramsey Community College: $278,295
North Hennepin Community College: $340,195
Minneapolis Community and Technical College: $323,741
Dakota County Technical College: $235,689
Regents, University of Minnesota: $274,773
Metropolitan State University: $235,689
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis $316,470

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