Estherville, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — In education news, Iowa Lakes Community College has secured a significant federal grant, bringing $348,489 to its Estherville campus.

This vital funding supports the TRIO Student Support Services program, directly benefiting first-generation students, those from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities.

The college’s application earned a perfect score, ensuring this critical continued support. TRIO-SSS is nationally recognized for significantly improving college retention and graduation rates.

Officials at ILCC say this grant helps “level the playing field and equips our students with the tools and confidence to graduate.”

The program provides individualized academic tutoring, financial aid guidance, career exploration, and personal counseling, making it more likely students complete their degrees or transfer with minimal debt.

Nationally, the SSS program boasts a strong track record. A U.S. Department of Education evaluation showed students at two-year institutions were 48% more likely to earn a degree or transfer. Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education, affirms, “This vital program makes all the difference for nearly a million students each year across the country.”

Established in 1968, the SSS program is part of a federal effort to remove barriers to higher education and empower students to contribute to their communities and the economy.