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ABERDEEN, S.D. – An increase in annual grant money for Northern State University’s TRIO Student Support Services program will mean more student scholarships and expanded cultural enrichment programs.

TRIO Student Support Services, one of two federal TRIO programs at NSU, is funded through a grant that can be reapplied for every five years. While the budget amount is typically $281,000 for each of the five years, this year the program will receive a 2.5 percent increase.

The extra funding is a welcome surprise, said NSU TRIO Student Support Services Director Laci Hettick.

“We have additional funds to go directly to our students,” Hettick said.

TRIO Student Support Services serves 165 NSU students. This fall, 22 of those students received scholarships. Now that number will increase thanks to the additional funding. The TRIO SSS program plans to conduct a TRIO Retreat for students again this year – last year they spent a day at Joy Ranch near Watertown. Another cultural activity planned this fall will be to attend the Moscow Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker” on the NSU campus.

The additional funding will also mean continued community service and leadership opportunities for students. Other resources offered by TRIO SSS include academic advising, career advice, tutoring, academic workshops, financial literacy training, peer mentoring and social events.

NSU’s other federal TRIO program is Upward Bound, which helps first-generation and low-income high school students prepare for, enroll in and graduate from college. NSU’s Upward Bound program serves 68 students from nine high schools in northeast South Dakota.

Upward Bound received grant funding to serve an additional two students at its annual Summer Program, said Director Peni Mounga. This program offers students a six-week college experience on the NSU campus.

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.

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