UW–Platteville has been selected to receive two grants from the U.S. Department of Education under the TRIO Student Support Services student Program for a total of nearly $3 million over a five-year time frame. 

One of the main purposes of the Student Support Services Program is to provide academic support services for first generation and low-income college students, as well as students with documented disabilities, to increase retention and graduation rates for these populations. 

Services provided include academic tutoring, information on financial aid and scholarships, advice in postsecondary course selection, study skills assistance and financial literacy education. They may also provide individual advisement for career, personal and academic matters to assist students with their range of career options and graduate school opportunities. 

UW–Platteville has had the Student Support Services grant for more than 30 years. However, the likelihood of receiving a second grant was very small. It was made possible by Laura Franklin, director of Student Support Services and Services for Students with Disabilities. 

 “The second grant will exclusively serve students with disabilities and low-income students with disabilities,” said Franklin. “This gives us the opportunity to increase access for these populations and provide students with the services they will need to graduate from UW–Platteville.” 

Campuses the size of UW–Platteville rarely receive two SSS program grants.

“They were putting this all together within a short amount of time while also working through the end of a semester providing important student assistance,” said assistant chancellor Jennifer DeCoste. “This makes me extraordinarily proud; it is just simply amazing.” 

Students who are interested in learning more about SSS and the free services that it provides should stop by Warner Hall Room 105 for more information.