Augusta University has been awarded $1.3 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education through a Federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant. The funding will be distributed over five years and is intended to support low-income, first-generation, and disabled college students at the university.
The grant proposal received bipartisan backing from Georgia’s congressional delegation. Augusta University President Russell T. Keen expressed appreciation for this support, stating, “The TRIO Student Support Services grant is more than funding; it is an investment in potential that will empower our students to persist and succeed. I am thankful to Georgia’s congressional leaders, including Senators Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock and Congressman Rick Allen for their advocacy and support of this proposal, Augusta University and our students. This investment strengthens our commitment to student success and helps Augusta University continue to rise as a beacon of opportunity for our region, our state and beyond.”
Garrett Green, EdD, associate vice president for Access, Success, and Belonging at Augusta University, played a key role in developing the successful proposal. He noted the challenges faced by targeted student groups: “Low-income, first-generation and disabled students often face barriers such as limited access to academic resources, unfamiliarity with college systems, financial pressures and lack of guidance in navigating the college experience,” Green said. “This grant will provide comprehensive support to help students persist, graduate and reach their full potential. Thank you to Georgia’s elected officials for their support.”
Senator Jon Ossoff highlighted the significance of this federal grant for the university: “I am thrilled that Augusta University was successful in winning this federal Student Support Services grant,” Ossoff said. “This federal grant will help establish AU’s first TRIO student support services on campus with a goal of increasing college retention and graduation rates for students.”
Congressman Rick Allen also commended Augusta University’s efforts: “Augusta University has consistently paved the way for thousands of students to become the next generation of leaders in our country,” said Allen. “Receipt of the TRIO Student Support Services grant will enable AU to expand on this mission by increasing access to post-secondary education with an emphasis on affordability and completion. It was an honor to offer my support for this grant application, and I look forward to hearing about the many success stories that will inevitably follow. I congratulate President Russell Keen and the entire AU community for this well-deserved achievement.”
Senator Raphael Warnock shared his personal connection with TRIO programs: “TRIO put me on a college campus for the first time and helped me envision a different future for myself,” said Warnock. “I’m one of the millions of kids who benefited from TRIO programs, having played a vital role in helping to shape the next generation and supporting students’ academic journeys from start to finish for decades. I am elated about Augusta University’s announcement of its first-ever TRIO program on campus. I will continue to be a fervent advocate for all Georgia students to have access to the resources necessary to develop the leaders of tomorrow.”
The new funding will bolster existing first-generation student initiatives at Augusta University—including scholarships, honor societies, and membership in national networks—by expanding opportunities such as intensive academic advising, tutoring services, and personal development programs.
Shareen Clement, EdD, director of Mentorship and Student Engagement at Augusta University stated: “Many departments have been working toward these similarly aligned goals, and the TRIO program will amplify our work by providing more dedicated staffing and resources, ensuring we reach our ultimate goal of graduating students who are prepared to take on life-saving and life-changing careers in our state and region.”
In fall 2024 data shows that 21% of incoming freshmen at Augusta University identified as first-generation college students; across all undergraduates that figure stands at 19%. Clement explained that these students statistically have lower graduation rates than their peers who are not first-generation.
She added that participation among these groups tends also be lower when it comes faculty mentorships or involvement with research projects or internships but expects direct outreach enabled by this grant could address those disparities.
In related news recognizing these efforts towards inclusivity among its student body—and with assistance from both Office Government Relations & Mentorship/Student Engagement—the governor issued a proclamation marking November 8th as First-Generation College Celebration Day statewide.
“Having a specific day allows us to amplify these messages to the entire community and ensure that these students feel seen as a vital part of our community,” Clement said. “It ensures that these students understand that their first-generation identity deserves to be celebrated and not hidden.”
