OCTC Receives 5 Year TRiO Grant

$261,888 for Year 1, totaling more than $1.1 Million

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (08/10/2020) — Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) announced on Friday, August 7, 2020 that the U.S. Department of Education awarded Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) a $261,888 grant for student support services under the Federal TRIO program.

"I am proud to announce that OCTC has received this competitive award," said Guthrie. "As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I know how important it is to ensure that students - particularly first-generation, low-income, or disabled students - have the resources necessary to complete their education. Student loan debt is crippling for many but it is often worse for students who never even finish their degree. This grant will allow OCTC to give students the support they need to succeed and to finish their education at OCTC."

Dr. Scott Williams, OCTC President commented, "We are very excited to be awarded the funds for continued support of our TRiO program. It is a testament to the hard work of the TRiO staff and the validity of the program. Their retention and graduation rates are stellar and that only proves that they really are helping students succeed through their efforts. While they do have a limited number of students in TRiO, the programming they offer benefits all of our students who are willing to take advantage of it."

The proposed number of student participants from OCTC is 144 annually and the 2020/2021 budget allotment is $261,888, a 3.5% increase over last year, which is the same for all project awards. The grant is funded in five year increments. OCTC's TRiO project is funded 100% by federal funds.

Becky Hodskins was named Director of Owensboro Community & Technical College's (OCTC) TRiO Student Support Services in 2017.

TRiO is a program for first-generation, low-income, and disabled students. The program provides academic advising, tutoring support, career advising, cultural enrichment activities, and assistance in applying or Financial Aid for students in need. "The goal of our program is to assist in reducing barriers which may hinder students from successfully completing classes, graduating, and/or transferring to a 4-year institution," said Hodskins. As a first-generation student, Hodskins understands the importance of being able to provide resources to help students be successful.

Hodskins and other TRiO representatives are currently working to recruit 50 students to fill the vacancies left by graduates from the spring and summer semesters. Interested students may apply by visiting the web page https://owensboro.kctcs.edu/current-students/academic-resources/trio.aspx and downloading the application.

For more information on TRiO Student Support Services and the resources they provide, please contact Becky Hodskins at becky.hodskins@kctcs.edu or by phone 270.686.4613.

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