(Sept. 14, 2010) – Lone Star College System announced that it has received two grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling more than $2.27 million over five years.

LSC-North Harris and LSC-Tomball are the recipients of these annual grants designated for Student Support Services, a program that will provide assistance to low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities.

LSCS was notified by the office of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas that the two colleges will be receiving the funds beginning in the 2011-2012 school year.

“This funding will allow LSCS to better assist the targeted student population and to help motivate students toward successfully completing their postsecondary education,” said Kristin Lue King, director, grant development at LSCS.

The Student Services Support program at each of the colleges will provide a comprehensive array of services to low-income, first-generation or disabled students each year to improve academic success, retention, graduation and transfer rates. The colleges will meet their program goals through the identification and selection of students who will benefit most from the services offered.

Services available to these students include academic advising, tutoring, economic/financial literacy workshops, career counseling, transfer assistance, student success seminars, financial aid advising, cultural enrichment events, self-advocacy skills building, academic progress monitoring, and campus tours to 4-year colleges and universities.

“The services within each of these programs were carefully selected to address the academic needs of the students targeted,” said Lue King.

The funds help secure the Student Services Support program already in existence at LSC-North Harris and it was the first time for LSC-Tomball to receive the award. LSC-North Harris will be receiving $234,160 each year and LSC-Tomball will get $220,000 annually – both for five years.

With more than 62,000 students in credit classes in spring 2010, and a total enrollment of nearly 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the second largest and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.

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