34 C.F.R. Subpart A—General
Title 34 - Education
The Student Support Services Program provides grants for projects designed to— (a) Increase the retention and graduation rates of eligible students; (b) Increase the transfer rate of eligible students from two-year to four-year institutions; and (c) Foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of low-income and first generation college students and individuals with disabilities through services such as those described in §646.4. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 and 1070a–14) An institution of higher education or a combination of institutions of higher education is eligible to receive a grant to carry out a Student Support Services project. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–14) A student is eligible to participate in a Student Support Services project if the student meets all of the following requirements: (a) Is a citizen or national of the United States or meets the residency requirements for Federal student financial assistance. (b) Is enrolled at the grantee institution or accepted for enrollment in the next academic term at that institution. (c) Has a need for academic support, as determined by the grantee, in order to pursue successfully a postsecondary educational program. (d) Is— (1) A low-income individual; (2) A first generation college student; or (3) An individual with disabilities. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–14) A Student Support Services project may provide services such as: (a) Instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, and other subjects necessary for success beyond secondary school. (b) Personal counseling. (c) Academic advice and assistance in course selection. (d) Tutorial services and counseling and peer counseling. (e) Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students. (f) Activities designed to acquaint students participating in the project with the range of career options available. (g) Activities designed to secure admission and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate and professional programs. (h) Activities designed to assist students currently enrolled in two-year institutions in securing admission and financial assistance for enrollment in a four-year program of postsecondary education. (i) Mentoring programs involving faculty or upper class students, or any combination of faculty members and upper class students. (j) Programs and activities as described in paragraphs (a) through (i) of this section that are specifically designed for students of limited English proficiency. (k) Other activities designed to meet the purposes of the Student Support Services Program stated in §646.1. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–14) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a project period under the Student Support Services Program is four years. (b) The Secretary approves a project period of five years for applicants that score in the highest ten percent of all applicants approved for new grants under the criteria in §646.21. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11) The following regulations apply to the Student Support Services Program: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 85 and 86. (b) The regulations in this part 646. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 and 1070a–14) (a) Definitions in the Act. The following terms used in this part are defined in sections 402(A)(g), 481, or 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended:
First generation college student Institution of higher education Low-income individual (b) Definitions in EDGAR. The following terms used in this part are defined in 34 CFR 77.1:
Applicant Application Award Budget Budget Period Department EDGAR Equipment Facilities Fiscal year Grant Grant Period Grantee Project Project period Public Secretary Supplies (c) Other definitions. The following definitions also apply to this part: Academic need with reference to a student means a student whom the grantee determines needs one or more of the services stated under §646.4 to succeed in a postsecondary educational program. Combination of institutions of higher education means two or more institutions of higher education that have entered into a cooperative agreement for the purpose of carrying out a common objective, or an entity designated or created by a group of institutions of higher education for the purpose of carrying out a common objective on their behalf. Different Campus means an institutional site that is geographically apart from and independent of the main campus of the institution. The Secretary considers a location of an institution to be independent of the main campus if the location— (1) Is permanent in nature; (2) Offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential; (3) Has its own faculty and administrative or supervisory organization; and (4) Has its own budgetary and hiring authority. Different population of participants means a group of— (1) Low-income, first-generation college students; or (2) Disabled students. Individual with disabilities means a person who has a diagnosed physical or mental impairment that substantially limits that person's ability to participate in the educational experiences and opportunities offered by the grantee institution. Limited English proficiency with reference to an individual, means a person whose native language is other than English and who has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language to deny that individual the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms in which English is the language of instruction. Participant means an individual who— (1) Is determined to be eligible to participate in the project under §646.3; and (2) Receives project services that the grantee has determined to be sufficient to increase the individual's chances for success in a postsecondary educational program. Sufficient financial assistance means the amount of financial aid offered a Student Support Services student, inclusive of Federal, State, local, private, and institutional aid which, together with parent or student contributions, is equal to the cost of attendance as determined by a financial aid officer at the institution. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 and 1070a–14)
Title 34: Education
PART 646—STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM
Subpart A—General
§ 646.1 What is the Student Support Services Program?
§ 646.2 Who is eligible to receive a grant?
§ 646.3 Who is eligible to participate in a Student Support Services project?
§ 646.4 What activities and services may a project provide?
§ 646.5 How long is a project period?
§ 646.6 What regulations apply?
§ 646.7 What definitions apply?
