Mississippi Valley State University is among 11-public colleges and universities that recently received funds to help support students.
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced more than $3.5 million to universities and community colleges for Student Support Services (SSS).
“The Student Support Services Program funding gives these Mississippi schools resources to help students navigate post-secondary education requirements, which will be further complicated by the coronavirus pandemic over the next few semesters,” said Hyde-Smith, “I’m grateful our universities and community colleges affected by disasters, like flooding and severe storms, were given additional time to qualify for and win these grants.”
Martha Smith, Director of the university’s SSS, shared how grateful she feels for the additional funding.
“The grant funds will be utilized to provide student services such as academic enrichment seminars, workshops, advising (academic, career, personal, graduate, and financial), tutorial services, computer access, and graduate/cultural trips,” said Smith.
Smith added that students would also receive recognitions, awards, and leadership opportunities. This is the third, five-year grant that Smith and her team have secured for the SSS program.
“We will work to provide job opportunities for qualifying applicants. All of the services are FREE to SSS students. Every five years, the grant is written with new ideas and strategies to meet the students’ academic and social needs,” she added.
The Mississippi institutions were eligible to take advantage of an extended U.S. Department of Education application deadline offered to schools located within federal disaster areas.
The SSS, one of eight federal TRIO Programs, works to increase the college retention and graduation rates through programs to help students meet basic college requirements. The assistance may include grant aid to current SSS participants receiving federal Pell Grants.
For more information on MVSU’s Student Support Services, call 662-254-3473.