For Immediate Release
July 21, 2015

Suffolk Awarded Nearly $1.5 Million Federal Grant

A nearly $1.5 million grant awarded to Suffolk County Community College last week under the TRIO – Student Support Services  Program of the U. S. Department of Education, will assist Suffolk students who face the greatest challenges to completing a degree – many of whom are the first in their family to attend college.
 
TRIO was started under the Higher Education Act of 1965, named for three specific grants included in the program at the time of its creation. The college was notified of the grant award by the offices of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Lee Zeldin.
 
The program, according to Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay, will serve 255 students at Suffolk annually and provide academic and financial literacy counseling, tutoring and other student assistance.
 
“Earning a college degree is transformative,” said President McKay, “and opens doors to new opportunities that help lift families and individuals out of hardship and into the middle class. This federal funding allows us to commit additional resources to helping the most vulnerable among our population to achieve their dreams.”