USC Sumter Awarded $1.75 Million To Help Low Income, First Generation, and Students with Disabilities Succeed in College
Federal Student Support Services grant awarded every five years
Sumter, SC (09/24/2025) — The U.S. Department of Education announced that the University of South Carolina Sumter will receive a federal Student Support Services (SSS) grant of $1,742,575 to help more students succeed in and graduate from college. This is the eighth time that USC Sumter has been awarded the grant which has helped over 2,100 students since 1997.
"USC Sumter is proud to be able to continue a nearly three-decade long program of service and educational support to our students, especially those who face challenges. Among the many points of light that USC Sumter can boast of, our OSP program and the staff who impact these students every day are among our very brightest," said USC Sumter Interim Campus Dean, Dr. Eric Reisenauer.
At USC Sumter, the grant will be used to support the Opportunity Scholars Program (OSP). OSP helps college students that demonstrate a need for academic support and who are low income, first generation (those whose parents do not have a four-year college degree) or students with disabilities be successful in their academic aspirations. The array of services the grant will provide are comprehensive and will include academic tutoring, financial aid advice and assistance, career and college mentoring, help in choosing courses and scheduling classes, and other forms of assistance. Such services enhance academic success and make it more likely that students will graduate or transfer with the lowest possible debt. On average, OSP participants have higher GPAs than traditional students with a 2.93 CUM GPA, 86% in Good Academic Standing, 72% graduating with an associate degree and 46% graduating and transferring into a 4-year academic program.
"We are excited to continue serving our students at USC Sumter. These students need our support especially since we are still dealing with educational issues created by the pandemic," said Lisa Rosdial Director of TRIO Programs at USC Sumter. "We are confident we can provide the assistance they need to be successful in overcoming educational barriers as well as continue a 28-year tradition of meeting our program goals and objectives."
Recently, USC Sumter was saddened by the loss of their founding Student Support Services (SSS) director and former S.C. State Representative, E.B. "Mac" McLeod, Jr., who continued to support the program long after his retirement. His family has chosen to honor his legacy by creating a USC Sumter endowed scholarship benefiting OSP students. Contributions to this scholarship may be made by contacting Development and Alumni Coordinator, Robin Miles, (803) 938-3782 or crm73@mailbox.sc.edu.
SSS began in 1968 and is one of the eight federal "TRIO" programs authorized by the Higher Education Act to help college students succeed in higher education. It recognizes that students whose parents do not have a college degree have more difficulties navigating the complexity of decisions that college requires for success. It bolsters students from low-income families who have not had the academic opportunities that their college peers have had and helps students with disabilities remove obstacles preventing them from thriving academically.
For more than 50 years, the SSS program has made important contributions to individuals and society by providing a broad range of services to help students succeed. This vital program can and does make all the difference.
The University of South Carolina Sumter offers students a unique college experience, affordable tuition, as well as campus clubs and athletic opportunities. Our faculty provides a solid academic foundation for all students, who prove their success at the next level every year. For more information about USC Sumter or to apply, visit uscsumter.edu or call 803-775-8727.