News Releases @ TCC

TCC RECEIVES $1 MILLION+ FUNDING FROM U.S. DEPT. OF EDUCATION
Re-funding supports Open Door Project for low-income and disabled students

NORFOLK, Va. – (May 9, 2005) – Tidewater Community College just received notification that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded the college $1,071,944 over four years to continue support of its TRIO/Student Support Services Open Door Project. This highly competitive federal grant will be paid incrementally in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The Open Door Project, which opened at TCC in spring of 1998, provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements and helps motivate students toward completing postsecondary education. The federal program - competitively awarded in four-year grant cycles - aims to increase college retention and graduation rates of its participants; increase the transfer rate of eligible students from two-year to four-year institutions; and to foster an institutional climate to improve academic performance.

Withstanding the risk of cuts throughout federal grant programs for education, TCC’s Open Door Project drew second re-funding, in part, due to its 100 percent goal achievement over the prior four-year cycle. “The review was especially competitive this time,” says Kay Williams, director of TCC’s Open Door Project. TCC scored a 112.3 out of a possible total of 115 points. Anyone with less than 99.33 would not be funded, she explains. The complete review process requires thorough evidence of need, successful outcomes and future goals.

The program at TCC serves 180 to 200 students at the Norfolk and Portsmouth campuses who are low-income, first-generation postsecondary students and/or have a disability and demonstrate the greatest need for academic support. At both campuses, half or more of the student body is low income and 42 to 54 percent is first generation. TCC currently has more than 500 students with disabilities and 180 additional who are awaiting documentation.

“We’re pleased and gratified that the federal review process has recognized TCC’s Open Door Project for its success,” says President Deborah DiCroce. “While the numbers provide the ‘culture of evidence’ to document the program’s benefits, we also know from our students themselves how much the program helps them reach their goals.”

The grant is part of the federal TRIO Programs administered by the Department of Education. These are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes six outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs.