$1.3M grant supports CLC TRIO scholars
College of Lake County was awarded a U.S. Department of Education TRIO Student Support Services grant of $1,309,440 for the third consecutive time.
This five-year grant provides crucial student services for 140 low-income students, first-generation students and students with disabilities. The TRIO-SSS program's support and encouragement increases student retention and graduation rates.
Awarded $261,888 for the 2020-21 academic year, the TRIO-SSS program has assisted students since 2010, with $3.5 million received in accumulated funding over a 15-year period.
"My team and I are thrilled to know we will continue our work with current and future TRIO scholars," said Cynthia Padilla-Gaytan, manager of TRIO-SSS. "We are fortunate and privileged to continue being part of students' lives during their time at CLC."
The TRIO-SSS program offers services to qualifying CLC students in a degree or transfer program. They receive help with everything from developing an academic plan and preparing for transfer to career planning and mastering study skills.
This school year, TRIO-SSS students will receive assistance with financial literacy, including how to afford higher education, along with workshops on being thoughtful, productive citizens. Program participants have a greater college completion rate than the average CLC student.
Current student and TRIO scholar Mandie Arevalo of Gurnee, who aspires to enroll in the nursing program at CLC said, "The program has helped me out tremendously during the pandemic. I always could rely on them to have someone to talk and vent to. They've also helped me out by giving me people to contact for advice to further my journey to my career path."
Program applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and TRIO-SSS acceptance decisions are made based on ensuring students meet the requirements set by the grant for eligibility for the program.
To learn more about the TRIO-SSS program, visit www.clcillinois.edu/student-services/additional-services/trio or call (847) 543-2755.