The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $1.2 million grant to the New Mexico State University TRIO STEM-H Student Support Services Program. The grant will continue to fund services for students through 2025.

Located in NMSU’s College of Engineering, the program began serving students majoring in science, technology, engineering, math and health-science fields in 2015.

“Our STEM and health-science students need support now more than ever with added challenges of navigating online education,” said Jesslyn Ratliff, TRIO STEM-H Program director and principal investigator. “This award is important for us to continue to provide valuable services and resources to help increase academic persistence, GPA’s and graduation rates.”

Student Support Services helps college students who are low income, first generation (those whose parents do not have a four-year college degree) or students with disabilities.

The grant funds many services such as academic tutoring, financial aid advice, career and college mentoring, financial literacy, help in choosing courses and other forms of assistance.

Ratliff said the services enhance academic success and increase the likelihood that students will graduate with the lowest possible debt.

Tony Marin, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, is co-principal investigator for the grant. For more information about the TRIO STEM-H Program at NMSU visit https://stemh.nmsu.edu.