Awarded College Completion grants

For the fourth year in a row, the U.S. Department of Education has awarded the Student Support Services (SSS) project at Luther College in Decorah supplemental funds under the "special set aside for grant aid." The college contributed matching funds to the grant to result in a total award of $49,424 that will be used to finance College Completion Challenges.

Betsy Evans and Tami Magner, both Luther College freshmen from Waukon and 2004 graduates of Waukon Senior High School, and Melissa Simmons, a Luther College sophomore from Waterville and a 2003 graduate of Waukon High School, are College Completion Challenge recipients. Evans, the daughter of Jim and Deb Evans of Waukon, received a grant for $1,100. Magner, the daughter of Larry and Julie Magner of Waukon, received a grant for $500. Simmons, the daughter of Terry and Sue Pederson of Waterville, received a grant for $1,180.

Fifty-six SSS freshman and sophomore participants at Luther are recipients of the College Completion Challenge to grants for the 2004-05 academic year. SSS is a federally funded program that promotes student retention and graduation by providing educational opportunities, giving attention to individual needs, and emphasizing academic excellence.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, SSS helps students stay in college to earn baccalaureate degrees. The program is open to all eligible students regardless of race, color, sex, creed, or other social, political or family circumstances.