PNC Success Through Education Receives Federal Grant


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1401 S US 421
Westville, IN 46391
Phone: 219-785-5200

Purdue University North Central has received a U.S. Department of Education grant for the Success Through Education program.

Success Through Education is a federally funded U.S. Department of Education Talent Search program and one of the original three programs created by the Higher Education Act of 1965 that formed the "TRIO" program.

Success Through Education exists to help low-income, first-generation-college and under-represented school students in sixth grade through high school better understand their educational opportunities and choices. While the program is housed on the Purdue North Central campus, it does not specifically recruit students on behalf of PNC, but offers the opportunity to explore all postsecondary campuses in Indiana.

The funding award for the 2011-12 program year is $304,624. The program is expected to be funded for five years. During the most recent funding cycle from 2007 to 2011, an average of 85 percent of participating graduating high school seniors enrolled in college

Success Through Education was first funded at PNC in 1988. Today, it helps Porter, LaPorte and Starke county students in pursuing academic and career goals in 10 middle and high schools.

The students have Success Through Education advisors who help them continue in and graduate from secondary school and enroll in a postsecondary institution by providing the support that high-need students must have to navigate the complex processes of college admissions and matriculation and securing financial aid.

Former program participant Antionette Noy, a Michigan City High School 2010 graduate, said, "My involvement with Success Through Education was truly a blessing. To be able to go to college means a lot to me. My parents cannot afford to pay for me to go to college, so this program has been a magnificent help to us. Advisor Leigh Mosser was wonderful with helping me in my high school and future college success. I couldn't have asked to be in a better program. Thank you all so much for everything."

Services provided by the program include academic, financial, career information; SAT/ACT assistance and fee waivers; scholarship search assistance; career exploration/job shadow opportunities; exposure to college campuses, including field trips to local and state campuses; assistance on completing college admissions forms; assistance on completing financial aid applications; mentoring; field trips, both collegiate and cultural and individual advising for students and their parents.

The program earned the 2007 received Indiana Youth Investment Award.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the PNC Success Through Education office at 219.785.5200, ext. 5396.