The Student Support Services (SSS) program at Appalachian State University has received continued federal funding for its 2021–22 operations. SSS provides comprehensive services that help retain and graduate first-generation and/or low-income App State students. Students on Sanford Mall are pictured in this aerial view of App States campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — For nearly 50 years, the Student Support Services (SSS) program at Appalachian State University has provided comprehensive services that support first-generation and/or low-income students throughout their academic careers. The program, which helps retain and graduate these students, is supported this year by continued grant funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
SSS Director Cathia Silver has received $338,780 in additional funding from ED for the 2021–22 academic year — the second year of the program’s current grant cycle (2020–21 to 2024–25). The total expected funding for the five-year cycle is approximately $1.7 million.
According to Silver, the program’s funds are used also to provide students with academic and holistic support, specialized instruction and proactive advising, as well as a fully structured first-year experience that includes:
- A mentoring program.
- SSS First Year Seminar/First Year Writing courses and an SSS College Success course.
- Scholarship assistance.
- Educational/cultural programming.
- Career development and financial literacy support.
This funding also includes $45,000 in scholarship aid for first- and second-year participants who receive the federal Pell Grant, with the average scholarship per student being around $650.
After identifying eligible students, the SSS program determines and works with students with the greatest need — approximately 200 students per year — who are supported from orientation through graduation. Of the students enrolled in the program this fall, 62% are from diverse backgrounds.
The program’s latest Annual Federal Performance Report, submitted to ED in December 2020, showed SSS participants had improved graduation and retention rates. Additionally, 97% of SSS students entered the fall 2021 semester in good academic standing.
SSS is one of eight federally funded TRIO outreach and student services programs available at more than 3,000 program sites. The programs are designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. At App State, the SSS program is housed in University College.
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About University College
Formed in 2007, University College consists of the university’s general education program, faculty and student support, and co-curricular programming and support – all designed to support the work of students both inside and outside the classroom. All students at Appalachian begin their education in University College and benefit from its programs until they graduate. Learn more at https://universitycollege.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
