Shepherd University is one of eight West Virginia colleges and universities that will receive $2,350,373 in grant money through the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Support Services program, and Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Carte Goodwin, both D-W.Va., applauded the news Wednesday.

The university will receive $220,000.

These funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements and motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education, according to a news release.

“To compete in the global economy and high-tech marketplace, we must continue to improve and put emphasis on our education system, and make sure that students who go on to college have the support they need to finish,” Rockefeller said. “This funding will help so many West Virginia students – giving them the necessary resources to take advantage of the opportunities they need and deserve.”

Students are the future of West Virginia, Goodwin said.

“By providing more funding to colleges and universities in our state, we are giving students a chance to succeed,” he said. “The services funded through these grants will help more students find their way to college and motivate them to complete postsecondary education requirements – a win for our entire state.”

Student Support Services projects also may provide grant aid to current participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants. The goal of this funding is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.

The seven other schools that will benefit from the grant are Bluefield State College, with $368,173; Marshall University, with $293,864; West Virginia University, with $301,682; WVU-Institute of Technology, with $354,116; Southern West Virginia Community College, with $275,202; West Virginia State University, with $298,864; and Glenville State College, with $238,472.

The SSS grant program is one of eight programs offered through the Department of Education’s Federal TRIO Programs – which are designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The SSS projects also may provide individualized counseling, instruction designed to acquaint students with career options and exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available and more.