Somerset Community College receives grant for TRIO Student Support Services

Somerset Community College has received $1.3 million in grant funding from the US Department of Education for its TRIO Student Support Services program. The grant funding will last through 2029, providing the program with $272,364 annually, which will support 140 students each year.

According to an article on Somerset Community College’s website, Nicole New, who serves as the director of the college’s Student Support Services program, was quoted as saying of the grant funding, "We are thrilled to renew our commitment to the Student Support Services program. TRIO programs are a valuable resource for many who may not otherwise have access to higher education. Our aim is to provide every student with the tools and resources they need to thrive in their academic journey. Student Support Services works to create a bridge to success for first-generation college students.”

Somerset Community College’s Student Support Services program provides resources and assistance for students who are first-generation college attendees, those who have disabilities, or those who come from low-income backgrounds. About 84% of the school’s population is eligible for the Student Support Services program based on these requirements.

The program provides these students with mentoring, academic support, career exploration opportunities, personal and academic counseling, and financial aid and scholarship guidance, all with the goal of supporting more students earning a college degree. The program aims to increase student retention and success.

Recent Somerset Community College graduate Jordan Asher was a TRIO Student Support Services participant who credits the program, along with the college’s Work Study program, with his success. He graduated in May 2025 with a degree in Computer Manufacturing and Machining.

He said, "Without these resources, I may not have made it this far in my education. Living in an area with limited internet access posed challenges, especially when it came to submitting assignments online. Sometimes the uploads took twice as long or failed altogether. However, being on campus as a Work Study student gave me the structure I needed, and my job in Advising helped me build a supportive community that encouraged and motivated me.”

Asher was a first-generation college student who had been homeschooled throughout high school, so he needed additional support as he began his college education at SCC. His first college course was First Year Experience, which was offered through TRIO. 

Speaking of the necessity of the support from TRIO to get started, he said, “I felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty, especially with financial aid. I had never even heard of FAFSA before.”

Now, with his degree in hand and a job earning $27 per hour, Asher is proof of the power of the TRIO Student Support Services program.

For more information about Somerset Community College, visit the school’s website.