ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Receives U.S. Department of Education Grants to Assist First-Generation and Disabled Students

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  • July 17, 2015

Grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling nearly $3.5 million over the next five years have been awarded to two Student Support Services (SSS) programs at ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, East Bay. The EXCEL program and Project IMPACT offer in-depth, long-term academic assistance to first-generation, low-income and disabled students.

“This funding will help more CSU East Bay students succeed, graduate, and accomplish their goals,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) said, while offering his congratulations. “This is a boon for the university and students in my district.”

The EXCEL program has served the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ community since 1970, and this year marks its 45th anniversary on the Hayward Hills Campus, according to Dr. Diana Balgas, special assistant to the vice president for student affairs and principal investigator on the award. “We are excited to continue providing services to our current and future program participants.”

EXCEL provides specialized assistance to 425 low-income, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities each year. The goals of the program are to enhance participants’ academic skills, thus increasing their retention, academic achievement and graduation rates.

“EXCEL students at East Bay are graduating at higher rates than the university as a whole,” Balgas said. “Our program’s staff is committed to our participants achieving great success by assisting them in navigating any barriers that may arise along their journey toward graduation and beyond.”

EXCEL has been awarded a grant of $455,842 per year, totaling $2.27 million over the five years of the grant.

Project IMPACT will also receive an annual grant of $231,103 for a total of $1.15 million over the same period. IMPACT serves 125 CSUEB students with disabilities, providing them with comprehensive academic support and personal development services, including workshops on test taking strategies, time management and communication skills.

The EXCEL program and Project IMPACT are both part of TRiO, a set of programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education that motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of a college degree.

For more information on the EXCEL program:

For more information on Project IMPACT: