University of Southern Indiana receives grant to support first-generation college students

The University of Southern Indiana is one of 22 higher education institutions in the state to have received funding from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education that is intended to support a specific subset of college students: those who are first-generation students, minority or low-income students, or students who are Frank O’Bannon Grant recipients.

$180,000 has been given to University of Southern Indiana to fund the positions of two new College Success Coaches who will be devoted to assisting first-generation college students during their time on campus in order to increase retention.

According to an article on University of Southern Indiana’s website, Dr. Shelly Blunt, Interim Provost, said, “Today is First-Generation College Celebration Day, commemorating the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which created federal financial aid and other programs that promoted access to higher education. This grant funding enables the University to provide essential wrap-around support services for our first-generation students.”

Of the College Success Program grant, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery said, “Last year, the Commission launched its strategic priorities to address college enrollment, completion and graduate retention. The College Success Program is one of our intentional strategic approaches to partnering with institutions to address the challenges in the education to workforce pipeline and amplify the impact of proven programs such as the 21st Century Scholarship and Frank O’Bannon Grant. This will remove barriers that especially affect first-generation and low-income students.”

The grant will run from November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2024. State Budget Committee reviews may extend the grant further in the future.

For more information about the University of Southern Indiana, visit the school’s website.