Westminster College Awarded $1.3M for Student Support Program

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College has been awarded $1.3 million in grant funding over the next five years to develop and operate a Student Support Services program.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the Student Support Services program is aimed at providing aid to first-generation college students, income-eligible students and students with disabilities. 

“A significant number of Westminster students are the first in their family to attend college, and navigating higher education can be daunting for them. Many others face financial challenges as they pursue their educational goals, and we want to partner with them to make their aspirations a reality,” said Westminster College’s vice president for academic affairs and dean Jamie McMinn in a statement. “The Student Support Services grant will provide academic, financial literacy, cultural and wellness programming to first-generation and low-income students so that they achieve the outcomes that mark a successful Westminster graduate.”

Among the services available will be tutoring, academic success and wellness coaching, learning and disability support and mentoring, including guidance on choosing courses, financial aid comprehension and professional development.

According to the college, 38% of students are identified as low income, 17% are first-generation college students and 7% have a declared disability. The Student Support Services program is funded – including $261,888 this school year – to work with roughly 140 students annually. The program at Westminster will have three full-time staff members.

Source: Westminster College

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.