Two TRIO students at Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne have received scholarships from Indiana TRIO. Deryla Paige and Nicole “Coop” Cooper were two of only nine students in the state who were awarded the college-level scholarships.
“TRIO helps me believe in myself for the first time in my life and helps me feel confident enough to go ahead and achieve my dreams,” said Cooper. “Words cannot do justice to the amount of gratitude and love I have for the TRIO program.”
The application process for TRIO scholarships is very competitive, and students must be nominated by an Indiana TRIO professional to be considered. Applicants write an essay describing how the organization has influenced their personal and professional journey. Awards are determined and distributed by the Indiana TRIO Board of Directors.
“Graduation should be achievable and not limited by economic status, family background, or disability,” said Beth Clemens, director of Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s TRIO Student Support Services program. “We are very proud of these TRIO students who went the extra mile.”
TRIO’s mission is to provide services to 160 first-generation, low-income students with or without disabilities as they work toward a degree or certificate at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne, with a goal of achieving completion within a four-year period. To learn more about Ivy Tech’s TRIO, visit ivytech.edu/trio.
Learn more about Indiana TRIO scholarships and awards at indianatrio.org.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
