John wood community college, illinois community college district #539, student support services program

John Wood Community College received a $389,975 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the TRIO Student Support Services Program (CFDA 84.042) beginning September 1, 2025, with a completion date of August 31, 2026. This award funds comprehensive support services designed to enhance postsecondary educational outcomes for disadvantaged students, including low-income students, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities at the Quincy, Illinois campus.

The Student Support Services Program provides targeted interventions to increase student retention and graduation rates while facilitating successful transfers from two-year to four-year institutions. Through this funding, John Wood Community College will deliver services aimed at improving academic potential, financial literacy, and overall student success in higher education. These support services address a critical need in the institution's service region of west-central Illinois, helping students overcome barriers to educational completion and economic mobility.