Blue Mountain Community College received a major federal grant this week that will allow it to continue a program designed to help students succeed in college.
BMCC was notified on Wednesday that it is the recipient of a $231,600 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund its TRiO Student Success Program for another five years.
The program is dedicated to increasing the retention, graduation, and transfer rate of students with a demonstrated financial need, who are first generation college students, or who are students with disabilities. A high percentage – 75 percent – of BMCC’s degree-seeking students meet the full Student Support Services criteria.
Through a grant competition, funds were awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary educations. The goal is to increase college retention and graduation rates of its participants.
Last year, BMCC served 165 low-income and first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities through the TRiO program. Success Coaches at BMCC help students navigate their educational journeys by providing developmental, proactive advising. The TRiO program serves a high-need population that faces multiple obstacles to persistence, retention, and the achievement of the level of academic sufficiency required to obtain an associate’s degree and transfer to a four-year institution.
