Grossmont College secures $1.16 million grant to open its doors to more low-income students, veterans and adult learners
EL CAJON – Grossmont College will ramp up efforts to reach more students from low-income households, as well as military veterans, adult learners enrolling for the first time, and first generation college students, thanks to a new five-year, $1.16-million federal grant that takes effect September 1.
“Grossmont College has been transforming lives in San Diego’s East County for more than 60 years,” said Vice President of Student Services Dr. Marsha Gable. “This grant will be critical in allowing the college to further expand upon its mission of providing access to college, and to learn the tools necessary for good jobs and creating clear pathways and opportunities to earn a college degree.”
The TRIO Educational Opportunity Grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education. The grant will provide Grossmont College with $232,250 annually for five years to hire a full-time program coordinator and full-time program specialist to work in concert with a team of peer mentors. Staff members will focus on helping prospective students navigate the college and financial aid application process, offering personal and academic counseling, holding career workshops, and providing academic success services. Plans also include community outreach, with public information campaigns and presentations.
The grant requires that at least 850 participants receive services per year. Grossmont College personnel will work closely with the nonprofit Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Community Colleges to meet the terms of the grant.
TRIO Programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs.
Grossmont College and the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District provide San Diego’s East county with high-quality, affordable college education, job and career training and retraining and job creation. The college has been a vital part of the community since its founding in 1961. Specialized programs include Administration of Justice, Cardiovascular Technology, Nursing, Orthopedic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Telemetry/EKG Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Theatre Arts, Culinary Arts, Child Development, and more. Grossmont also has a partnership with Point Loma Nazarene University to offer bachelor’s degrees in Nursing and Computer Information Technology, with classes taught at the Grossmont College campus in El Cajon.
