The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Miles College and the University of Alabama at Birmingham with $1.3M and $5M, respectively, in funding from TRIO Grants. Here’s how that money will go to work.

What is the Federal TRIO Program?

graduate cap uab — TRIO programs help students succeed in higher education. Photo via @exploreuab on Instagram.

Student Support Services (SSS) is one of eight Federal “TRIO” programs authorized by the Higher Education Act. These programs are meant to help college students succeed in higher education. Through funding from the SSS, students who face barriers to completing college—including those who are first-generation students, have disabilities or low-income—will be aided by success coaches, mentors and peer-to-peer support to assist in their college experience.

SSS helps students with services like:

Free tutoring.
Free printing.
One-on-one assessment of needs by staff each semester.
Cultural enrichment opportunities.
Help with developing good study skills.
Academic, career, personal, financial, and graduate school counseling.
Assistance with preparation for graduate and professional school entrance examinations; and additional services based on individual needs.

$6.3M in funding for Birmingham colleges

Recently, both Miles College and the University of Alabama in Birmingham received a total of $6.3M in grants from the U.S. Department of Education.

Miles College plans to enroll 140 eligible students in the support services program funded using both institutional commitments and federal funds. Additionally, at UAB the grants will go towards helping 460 students annually. In the past, UAB received SSS grants for STEM, Health Care and Education majors.