Passaic County Community College gets $1.1 million federal grant
By Jonathan Greene
Published: July 15, 2015
The Passaic County Community College has received a $1.1 million federal grant to improve student retention and graduation rates, announced Congressman Bill Pascrell on Wednesday afternoon.
Grant money will be disbursed in installments of $231,075 over a five-year period. The grant is issued through the United States Department of Education and will fund the college’s Student Support Services (SSS) program.
“It’s our duty to prioritize programs that support the success of disadvantaged students, and this federal grant makes a significant investment towards that goal,” Pascrell, a former educator who lobbied to make sure PCCC was founded in Paterson, said. “During my time in the classroom, I saw firsthand that many students face significant barriers to degree completion.”
The college’s student support project will serve 160 eligible students each year providing them program orientation, academic instruction, counseling, advising, tutorial, support, assistance in completing financial aid application, financial literacy workshop, transfer advising, and cultural and educational activities.
“A college degree is a gateway to a better life,” college’s President Steven Rose said. “The Student Support Services Program provides needed services to help ensure that students who face many obstacles in their path to a degree achieve their goal. PCCC thanks Congressman Pascrell for his continued support of our students.”
The U.S. Department of Education SSS program gives grants to higher education institution to develop and assist students with basic college requirements and motivate them to successfully finish their postsecondary education. The grant may also support students receiving Federal Pell Grants.
“This federal grant provides the resources needed to assist in improving achievement levels and help our students reach their true academic potential,” Pascrell said.