Lee University has once again been awarded a $1.3 million grant ($261,881 per year for 5 years) from the U.S. Department of Education. This award is part of a federal initiative called Student Support Services (SSS) which is part of the TRIO Programs.

“This grant is vital in its encouragement of the mission of Lee University, and I look forward to continuing to witness its impact on our student success,” said Dr. Debbie Murray, Lee University provost.

The TRIO SSS grant funds the university’s LEAP (Learn, Engage, Achieve Program). The program currently provides individual success coaching, peer mentors, direct student aid, financial aid counseling, financial literacy education, cultural and academic enrichment opportunities, and other personalized services according to individual students’ needs.

“I am very pleased that our federal TRIO SSS grant has been renewed at Lee University and credit my entire staff for their hard work and diligence in ensuring its success,” said Dr. Roy Y. Chan, director of Lee University LEAP. “Our students are campus leaders and often engage in high impact practices like study abroad, internships, and undergraduate research.”

Vanessa Hammond, who coordinates grant relations for Lee University said the grants are awarded every five years on a competitive basis, and a total of $270 million was awarded nationwide in the 2020 round of grants. Lee contributes additional institutional funds to the program that serves 140 first-generation or underrepresented students each year who meet the eligibility criteria.

For more information about LEAP, visit Lee LEAP.

The Federal TRIO Programs include eight federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The programs provide grants to institutions of higher education, public and private agencies, and various organizations. The name TRIO comes from the original three programs that were created in 1965, thanks to the Higher Education Act.

For more information about TRIO Programs, visit TRIO.