Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) in Morristown has been awarded a $1.4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, a transformative investment that will fund the creation of a new TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program. The initiative, which launches in October 2025, will run for five years and is designed to help students overcome academic and personal challenges that often stand in the way of college completion.
The TRIO SSS program is part of a nationally recognized effort to improve college retention and graduation rates among students who face socioeconomic and educational barriers. SEU’s project will serve approximately 140 students each year, focusing primarily on those who are first-generation college students, come from low-income families, or have limited access to higher education resources. In accordance with federal program requirements, at least two-thirds of participants will meet both income and first-generation criteria.
The new program will provide comprehensive, hands-on support services tailored to each student’s individual needs. Participants will have access to academic tutoring, personalized advising, financial aid guidance, and graduate school preparation resources. In addition, the initiative will emphasize financial literacy education, helping students better understand budgeting, student loans, and long-term financial planning—skills that extend well beyond their college years.
SEU’s expansion of student services through this grant reinforces its long-standing mission of access, equity, and opportunity in higher education. For more than a century, the university has been committed to empowering students from diverse backgrounds, fostering academic achievement, and supporting social mobility throughout New Jersey and beyond. Many of its graduates are the first in their families to earn college degrees, a testament to SEU’s enduring focus on personal and educational transformation.
Provost Dr. Anthony B. Santamaria praised the award, noting that the TRIO SSS program represents a research-based, student-centered approach to improving persistence and graduation outcomes. He emphasized that the funding allows SEU to build upon its existing infrastructure of mentorship and academic support while expanding opportunities for underserved populations.
This federal investment also aligns with national priorities aimed at making higher education more affordable, increasing degree attainment, and enhancing data collection to better understand and address student needs. As the university moves forward with program implementation, SEU’s leadership hopes the initiative will not only impact student outcomes but also strengthen the institution’s capacity to serve as a model for student success in the region.
The addition of the TRIO Student Support Services project represents a pivotal moment for Saint Elizabeth University, one that underscores its dedication to transforming lives through education and ensuring every student—regardless of background—has the resources to achieve academic excellence and long-term success.
For more coverage of major education and community developments throughout the state, visit Explore New Jersey Real Estate.
