Virginia western student support servicesproject type: regular to serve 250 low-income, first-generation and disabled students

Virginia Western Community College received a $348,143 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program (CFDA 84.042) effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. The award supports comprehensive student support services designed to enhance postsecondary educational outcomes for 250 low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities enrolled at the institution in Roanoke, Virginia.

Under this grant, Virginia Western Community College will deliver services focused on increasing student retention and graduation rates, facilitating transfers to four-year institutions, and improving academic potential and financial literacy for the targeted student populations. The TRIO SSS Program provides supportive services to disadvantaged college students to enhance their potential for successfully completing postsecondary education programs and increasing transfer rates from two-year to four-year institutions. As a standard Project Grant under this program, the award includes a potential five-year grant period with continuation awards approved annually based on evidence of grantee compliance with grant conditions and substantial progress toward project objectives.