Students in Madison College’s TRiO program received welcomed news over the summer when the U.S. Department of Education announced that the college would receive a grant to fund the program through the end of August 2020.

The Department of Education awarded $270 million to 968 institutions of higher education in order to provide thousands of students the support they need. Madison College will receive $220,000.

“Every student has the right to an equal opportunity to learn and succeed in college,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a news release announcing the award. “These grants provide critical support to students who can benefit from extra help and encouragement along their college journey, enabling them to reach their personal goals and contribute to the economic vitality of our nation.”

But what does TRiO/Student Support Services do? It is a program that supports students who are pursuing a college degree. Students who come from families with low incomes, are first-generation college students or have disabilities are eligible for these services.

TRiO program services include a academic tutoring in many areas, such as math, writing, reading and other topics in which students may struggle; personal counseling; educational counseling; and helping students apply for admission or transfer to four-year schools.

In the upcoming school year, TRiO Student Support Services will continue the same path, benefiting more and more students with financial, academic tutoring and personal assistance.