The U.S. Department of Education Student Support Services has awarded Mercer University with a $1.1 million grant to "improve retention, graduation and financial literacy among non-traditional students."
According to a news release, the five-year grant will benefit the university's regional campuses in Macon, Atlanta and McDonough.
The grant will provide $200,000 in funds each year to the campuses. The release states the funding will underwrite scholarships for 140 low-income, first-generation or disabled students attending the school, as well as fund an office and staff including a director, tutors and two student workers.
"This new SSS program is an excellent opportunity to provide additional and more individualized services to the many non-traditional students at the University," Michelle A. Currie, the director of Mercer's Federal TRIO programs, said in a statement.
The release states grants from SSS are awarded to higher education institutions to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements and to motivate students toward the successful completion of post-secondary education.
