Ohio State ATI has received a five-year, $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Support Services Program to fund a project called Program Excel.
ATI has a large population of eligible students who need sustained academic support, and the project aims to increase their retention, academic standing, and graduation and transfer rates.
Specifically, Program Excel will:
- Identify, enroll and assess the needs of 210 eligible participants.
- Develop individual support plans, including a blend of support services tailored for each student, and actively monitor student progress.
- Provide comprehensive and coordinated services in five major categories: College Transition Services, Retention Counseling Services, Professional Tutoring Services, Financial Management Services and Four-Year Degree Transition Services.
- Measure student progress, evaluate program performance for continuous improvement, maintain thorough project records and report performance on funded objectives annually.
- Draw commitments from our supportive institution, evaluate the cost effectiveness of the project, and hire and develop qualified personnel.
- Foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of low-income and first-generation college students and students with disabilities.
ATI also proposes to adopt innovative, research-proven strategies to help increase the persistence and academic performance of students participating in Program Excel:
- Competitive Preference Priority (CPP) 1a, Influencing the Development of Non-Cognitive Factors: Program Excel will provide a panel discussion for new students designed to positively influence their non-cognitive factors.
- CPP 1b, Strategies to Influence the Development of Non-Cognitive Factors Supported by Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness: Research recommended by the Department of Education as a study that meets the Standard for Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness is detailed here.
- CPP 2a, Providing Individualized Counseling for Personal, Career and Academic Matters: Program Excel will implement innovative methods of providing individualized coaching for students participating in the project.
- CPP 2b, Individual Counseling Activities Based on Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness: Research recommended by the Department of Education as a study that meets the Standard for Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness is detailed here.
Through the Student Support Services grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, to assist students with basic college requirements and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education.
Learn more about the Student Support Services Program here.