SKYCTC Awarded $1.36 Million Federal Grant to Support First-Generation and Low-Income Students

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) has been awarded a $1.36 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the Federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program. The grant will provide $272,364 annually over a five-year period to support first-generation, low-income, and disabled college students as they pursue higher education.

The funding will allow SKYCTC to serve 140 eligible students each year through the TRIO SSS program, which is designed to increase college retention, graduation, and transfer rates. The project is 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

“The Student Support Services program is a vital part of our institutional commitment to student success,” said Dr. T. Chris George, Director of SKYCTC TRIO Programs since 2020. “This funding will allow us to continue providing targeted support to students who may face academic and socioeconomic barriers on their journey toward degree completion.”

TRIO SSS offers participants a range of comprehensive services including individualized academic advising, tutoring, career exploration, financial aid assistance, transfer planning, and cultural enrichment opportunities. The program’s goal is to remove barriers to academic success and provide students with the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive.

With the renewal of this grant, SKYCTC continues to expand its commitment to student success. In addition to Student Support Services, the institution is home to two other federally funded TRIO initiatives: the Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) and Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS), creating a robust support network that serves students in high school, adult learners and traditional college students through college graduation and beyond.

The Federal TRIO Programs are a set of educational opportunity outreach initiatives designed and funded by the U.S. Department of Education to support individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO programs have become a cornerstone of student success at SKYCTC, helping hundreds of students navigate the complexities of higher education.

For more information about TRIO Student Support Services or TRIO Programs at SKYCTC, please contact the TRIO office at (270) 901-1178 or visit https://southcentral.kctcs.edu/about/student-life/student-support-services/index.aspx