Albion College has been awarded a $1,361,820 TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to strengthen retention and graduation rates for low-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.

The award marks the continuation of five years of TRIO SSS services at Albion. Since 2020, the program has supported more than 260 students, helping them stay in school, earn degrees, and prepare for meaningful careers.

Through one-on-one services—academic tutoring, financial aid and scholarship guidance, career exploration, academic counseling, and mentoring—TRIO SSS helps students overcome barriers to success. These supports significantly increase the likelihood of degree completion or successful transfer, while minimizing student debt.

“We are deeply grateful for this renewed support of our program from the U.S. Department of Education,” Albion College President Wayne Webster said. “This grant enables us to continue the essential work of ensuring that every student has access to the tools, resources, and personal support they need to thrive and succeed.”

A proven national model
A 2019 DOE evaluation found that SSS participants at two-year institutions were 48% more likely to earn an associate’s degree or transfer to a four-year school, and SSS students at four-year institutions were 18% more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree compared to peers not in the program.

“TRIO programs generally, and TRIO SSS in particular, transform students from the least-resourced backgrounds into college graduates,” said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education. “This vital program makes all the difference for nearly a million students each year across the country.”

Part of a national network
SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 designed to remove social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. Since 1968, SSS has helped millions of low-income, first-generation students graduate and contribute to their communities. Notable alumni include Michael Cashman, town supervisor of Plattsburgh, New York; former NASA astronaut José Hernández; and Cheryl Johnson, 36th Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives.

For more information on TRIO Student Support Services at Albion College, visit albion.edu/trio-student-support-services or contact Jackie Gutierrez at [emailprotected].