11 Mississippi colleges receive federal grants totaling $3.5 million for student support services

Eleven Mississippi universities and community colleges received federal grant awards totaling more than $3.5 million for student support services, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced Thursday.

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 Student Support Services (SSS) Program awards represent first year funding of an anticipated five-year grant program.

“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, who serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over federal education programs.

“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,” she said.

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.

The Mississippi schools receiving FY2020 SSS Program grants include:

• Alcorn State University – $392,322
• Copiah-Lincoln Community College – $338,971
• Hinds Community College – $329,897
• Holmes Community College – $337,287
• Jackson State University (two grants) – $523,776
• Mississippi State University – $292,898
• Mississippi Valley State University – $305,957
• Northwest Mississippi Community College – $334,571
• Pearl River Community College – $372,972
• University of Southern Mississippi – $306,037