Student Support Services to provide 'Bridging the Gap' program for incoming and/or non-traditional college students

June 10, 2010 -- Arkansas State University’s Student Support Services (SSS) is announcing the “Bridging the Gap” Summer Bridge program, a comprehensive program that allows students to become better prepared for their higher education experiences at ASU. “Bridging the Gap” is designed to introduce incoming or nontraditional students to the resources required for success in college and to provide them with an individualized introduction to ASU. This program will be held Tuesday-Friday, Aug. 17-20, on the campus of ASU-Jonesboro. The "Bridging the Gap" Summer Bridge program is in its 10th year at ASU.

To be eligible for the Summer Bridge program, a student must be a U.S. citizen or national or meet residence requirements for federal student aid, and the student must have a need for academic support. In addition, a student must also meet at least one of the following criteria: he or she must be a first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a baccalaureate degree); he or she must meet income guidelines; he or she must be an individual with a documented disability.

The Summer Bridge program is a free program, and students who will live on campus in the fall will be able to move in to their assigned room the evening of Monday, Aug. 16. The only costs incurred by students are for miscellaneous expenses, such as snacks and personal items.

Once a student is accepted into the Summer Bridge program, he/she remains in the Student Support Services (SSS) program until graduation. The mission of SSS is to provide participants with academic and support services in a caring environment that seeks to ensure their successful completion of a baccalaureate degree at ASU. SSS services are free and include, but are not limited to, advising, counseling, tutoring, mentoring, supplemental instruction, workshops, and cultural events. SSS is 100% funded by a $267,980.00 grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education.

For more information please contact Lori Hutchinson, advisor, Student Support Services, at (870) 972-2320. E-mail Lori Hutchinson at lhutchin@astate.edu, or visit the Student Support Services website at http://www2.astate.edu/a/university-college/sss/.

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