NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College will receive a $1.3 million grant over the next five years to develop a program to benefit underrepresented students.

The grant will be used to develop a TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program that will provide services to first-generation, income eligible students and students with disabilities.

The federally funded grant will provide $261,888 per year to Westminster.

According to the release, 38 percent of Westminster College students are identified as low income, 17 percent are first-generation college students and 7 percent have a declared disability.

The SSS program is expected to work with nearly 140 students each year and support three full-time staff members.

Services provided by the program include academic tutoring, support for learning and other disabilities, career and college mentoring, and more.

"The TRIO Student Support Services grant will provide academic, financial literacy, cultural and wellness programming to first-generation and low-income students so that they achieve the outcomes that mark a successful Westminster graduate," said Westminster College Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Dr. Jamie G. McMinn.