Highline Community College has been awarded $1.1 million in funding from the Federal TRIO Student Support Service (SSS) program to help low-income, first-generation students and people with disabilities succeed in college.

The grant funds additional support services for disadvantaged students to help them continue with their education and successfully transfer to a four-year college or university. The college will receive $220,000 a year for the next five years.

“Highline’s current efforts to integrate the diversity that exists on campus with high scholastic standards and institutional support services involving student learning, student engagement and students’ cultural and leadership development positioned us well for the award,” said Toni Castro, the college’s vice president for Student Services.

TRIO students will receive additional financial and academic advising and mentoring through Highline’s student support services, including the Education Planning & Advising Center, Transfer Center, Counseling Center and Tutoring Center.

With the current economic crisis, the college is serving more disadvantaged students with fewer resources. From 2006-07 to 2008-09, low-income, first-generation student enrollment increased by 50.5 percent at Highline.

During the 2008-09 academic year, 3,170 matriculated Highline students qualified as low income and received financial aid. Of this group, 51.5 percent were first-generation college students.