Federal trio programs: student support services

The University of West Alabama's Auxiliary Services Department received a $705,061 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the TRIO Student Support Services program (CFDA 84.042), awarded September 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for August 31, 2026. This grant funds comprehensive student support services designed to enhance retention and graduation rates for disadvantaged college students, including low-income students, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. The program delivers on-campus tutoring, academic advising, career counseling, financial aid assistance, and educational workshops to increase student persistence and academic success.

The Student Support Services program operates within the broader Federal TRIO Programs framework, serving a predominantly Black institution in rural Alabama. The award supports services intended to foster an institutional climate that facilitates student success across multiple populations, including students who are limited English proficient, from historically underrepresented groups in postsecondary education, and those facing other barriers to educational attainment. The grant represents one of 17 awards University of West Alabama has received from the Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education, reflecting the institution's sustained focus on student support and rural educational development.