JCTC gets federal money for student support program

Jefferson Community and Technical College will receive federal funding for the Student Support Services Program at the school’s downtown campus.

The college will receive $288,282 this year, and it is anticipated the program will receive federal funding for an additional four years. U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-3rd District, announced the funding during a press conference attended by college and student representatives Thursday.

The Student Support Services Program began at JCTC in 1977 and provides academic tutoring, financial counseling, and career guidance to low-income, first-generation, or disabled students. In 2011, the program is expected to serve about 200 students. JCTC President Tony Newberry said the program is critical to the college’s ability to help first-generation and academically lagging students succeed in college.

“Preparing our workforce for the jobs and the economy of the future requires that more Louisvillians have access to a higher education,” Yarmuth said. “This federal funding will help tear down the barriers to college and ensure that all Louisvillians have the educational and career opportunities needed to build successful lives.”

JCTC is the largest college in the Kentucky Community and Technical College system, serving 15,000 students on six campuses throughout the region.