Hyde-Smith: Miss. Universities, Community Colleges Awarded $3.5 Million for Student Support Services

Press Release

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced the award of more than $3.5 million to 11 Mississippi universities and community colleges for student support services.

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

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