According to a press statement from PCC, the enactment of the Higher Education Opportunity Act in 2008 affected the nature of the SSS Programs.
Universities and colleges were able to submit multiple SSS applications to address the needs of different campuses of a single institution. Institutions with more than one campus can apply for SSS programs for each of their campuses.
“In essence, the competition door opened wide providing opportunities for multiple applications — 1,475 eligible applications to be exact — at a tune of over $404 million,” PCC said. With only over $300 million, it was only enough to fund 1, 026 programs. And PCC was not among those that were fortunate.
The Student Services Program, also known as Project Beacon, started in 1984. PCC was then called the Micronesian Occupational College (MOC). The program was designed to “foster the academic achievement and success of college students.”
“The goal of the program is to increase college retention and graduation rates and to assist graduates in transferring from PCC to a 4-year college/university,” PCC said. “The college extends its appreciation to the US Department of Education for the 26 years of generous support it has provided to its students.”
However, PCC will continue to provide the same level of educational support that SSS program has provided over the years.
“The college assures all its constituencies that support services will still continue,” PCC added.
