Montana Technological University awarded $1.36 million to support first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities through TRIO Student Support Services-STEM

Federal grant will boost student retention and graduation at Montana Tech

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Montana Tech a federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant of $272,364 annually to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities. The five-year grant, totaling $1.36 million, will continue to serve 120 Montana Tech's science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students along with students in the healthcare fields.

This award marks the continuation of 15 years of TRIO SSS services on our campus. Since 2011, the program has served over 1,800 students, helping them stay in college, earn degrees, and build meaningful careers. For this grant cycle, more than 2,000 proposals were submitted but only 964 or roughly 47%  were funded.

“This grant allows Montana Tech to deepen our commitment to ensuring that all students—regardless of background—can thrive academically and personally,” Executive Director of the Institute for Educational Opportunities Theresa Rader said. “Student Support Services helps level the playing field and equips our students with the tools and confidence to graduate and lead.”

Nationally, the SSS program has a proven track record. According to a rigorous 2019 evaluation by the U.S. Department of Education, students in SSS at two-year institutions were 48% more likely to earn an associate’s degree or transfer to a four-year school, and students at four-year institutions were 18% more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree compared to similar peers not in the program.

SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. Since its inception in 1968, SSS has helped millions of low-income, first-generation students graduate from college and contribute to their communities and the economy. Montana Tech also hosts pre-college TRIO Upward Bound, Upward Bound/Math & Science, and Talent Search programs

For more information about TRIO Programs at Montana Tech, visit The Institute for Educational Opportunities at Montana Technological University or contact 406-496-4690.

About the Federal TRIO Programs

TRIO programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program) help students overcome academic, economic, and social barriers to higher education. TRIO services include assistance in choosing a college and tutoring; personal, financial, and career counseling; assistance in applying to college; workplace and college visits; special instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and mathematics; assistance in applying for financial aid; and academic assistance in high school or assistance to reenter high school or college.

 

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