WASHINGTON – Shepherd University has been awarded $220,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO programs, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., announced Wednesday.

The TRIO programs are federal outreach and student-services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, according to a news release.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s website, the recipients of the grants, depending on the specific program, are institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations, including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth and secondary schools.

“Grants like these provide much-needed support to students who are at a high risk of dropping out of college,” Capito said in the release.

“Funding will help … Shepherd University … provide additional tutorial services, counseling, assistance in securing financial aid and career mentoring to these high-risk students,” she continued.