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Seven entities received grants to increase student graduation rates.
The six-year graduation rate was just over 62% in 2023.
Programs that provide one-on-one support to students have been proven to improve retention rates.
The Biden administration also issued new rules for future grant awards and proposals.
The Department of Education (ED) awarded $41.3 million in grants to increase graduation rates among college students.
ED awarded the funds to seven entities — including six colleges and universities — through the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) program. The institutions can use the funds in new or existing programs aimed at improving retention and completion rates among "underserved students."
The six-year college graduation rate in 2023 was 62.2%.
ED announced that the following institutions and organizations will receive funds:
California State University, Fresno Foundation — $8 million
Center for Collaborative Education — $8 million
Portland State University — $7.8 million
University of Texas at San Antonio — $7.3 million
Research Foundation for the State University of New York (SUNY), Albany — $4 million
Jarvis Christian University — $3.4 million
New York Institute of Technology — $2.8 million
Many of these institutions will use the funds to provide additional coaching and guidance to college students.
A BestColleges report found that similar programs and efforts — particularly those that offer one-on-one support — have proved successful in increasing student graduation rates in many areas of the U.S.
ED didn't just award new funds.
The department also finalized new guidelines for how future PSSG funds will be awarded. The regulations set new standards for proposals, establish new selection criteria, and require grantees to report the effectiveness of their programs.
It also defines "underserved students" to include those who are:
Living in poverty
Students of color
From a federally recognized Indian tribe
Learning English
Disabled
Experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity
LGBTQ+
Pregnant, parenting, or caregiving
The first in their family to attend college
Enrolling for the first time at the age of 20 or older
Working full time while enrolled
Eligible for a Pell Grant
Improving basic skills or who have limited English proficiency
President Joe Biden has long sought to invest further in the PSSG program. His 2025 budget proposal called for doubling the funding for PSSG.
