ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University’s TRIO Student Support Services program has been awarded a grant that will provide additional student services – including a new financial literacy curriculum and work-based opportunities in South Dakota's in-demand industries.
The $1.675 million U.S. Department of Education grant, which will be spread over five years, is a renewal of past funding, with a start date of Sept. 1, 2020. The money will provide an array of services for TRIO students, also including academic advising, tutoring, academic and financial counseling, residential peer mentoring, career exploration, leadership development, social and cultural programming, and financial assistance.
“The goal is not only to help students graduate with a college degree, but for students to get the most out of their time as a student at Northern State University,” said NSU TRIO SSS Director Laci Hettick.
TRIO Student Support Services is a federal TRIO program, which assist first-generation and low-income students, as well as students with disabilities.
“This group of students, historically and nationally, finish college at much lower rates than students in general,” said NSU Executive Director of Student Success Dr. Stacie Varnson. “The purpose of the grant is to give members of these groups a boost up and continued academic, social and financial support to help them finish their degrees.”
Northern has had a TRIO Student Support Services program on campus since 1997.
“NSU TRIO SSS students have achieved much success in recent years, often out-pacing the general student population in terms of both graduation and retention rates,” Hettick said. “We are looking forward to further this success with the continuation of our grant award.”
TRIO SSS serves 165 NSU students, but Hettick says the program aims to make a positive impact on the entire NSU community.
“Through strong partnerships with various campus offices, we have opened up many of our services to the entire student body,” she said, “including our success series workshops, our Wolf Talk speaker series, monthly community service opportunities, and numerous cultural and social events.”
For more information, visit NSU TRIO Student Support Services.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and, soon, an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $120 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.