Saint Augustine’s University’s (SAU) Academic Achievers/TRIO Programs has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a five year period from 2015 to 2020. The University will receive an annual amount of $310,810, which totals to $1,554,050.

Out of 1,476 proposals submitted, SAU was one of 906 that was selected to receive funding by the U.S. Department of Education.

According to Antonio C. Stephens, director of the SAU Academic Achievers/Office of TRIO Programs, the mission of the SAU Academic Achievers/TRIO Program provides academic services and a supportive environment in order to retain and graduate low-income, first generation and/or disabled college students.

The Academic Achievers/TRIO Programs has been at SAU since 1978. This federal grant will enable SAU to provide the motivation and advocacy necessary for low-income, first-generation, and disabled students to complete a program of study in the attainment of a bachelor’s degree.  Eligible students will be provided mandatory and permissible services which include including academic one-to-one tutoring, individual needs assessment, academic advisement, financial literacy and economic literacy, financial aid counseling, career and/or graduate school counseling, peer mentoring, assistance with writing and technology, academic progress checks, academic enrichment workshops, cultural enrichment, and supplemental grant-aid.

The University serves 190 participants annually from Wake, Nash and Halifax counties.