EXCEL, IMPACT programs win $3.5 million in grants

  • November 22, 2010
  • By Barry Zepel

Grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling more than $3.5 million over the next five years have been awarded to two student services programs that support disabled students and those from traditionally underserved populations attending California State University, East Bay.

The university’s EXCEL program – serving about 425 students annually who low income, first generation college or disabled – has been awarded a grant providing $470,425 per year. Over the five-year period the program will receive $2.35 million.

Project IMPACT also will receive an annual grant, this one for $238,496, for a total of $1.19 million over the same five-years. IMPACT supports the students served by the Accessibilities Services Department, which until recently was known as the Student Disability Resource Center. This program serves 125 CSUEB students with verified disabilities requiring additional academic and personal support beyond the legally mandated accommodations provided.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, EXCEL and Project IMPACT are Federal TRiO Student Support Services programs.  TRiO programs were designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, according to Diana Balgas, the university’s executive director for retention services.

“EXCEL offers eligible students in-depth, long-term academic support throughout their undergraduate education,” Balgas said. “Assistance is available in a wide variety of areas, including academic advising, personal counseling, career development, graduate school advising, learning skills, financial literacy training, and tutoring in basic skills. They also get assistance in applying for appropriate scholarships.”

Project IMPACT provides its student clients with academic advising, wellness counseling in managing their disability stress, assistive technology that enables them to adapt to using a computer, tutoring services, and workshops on managing their time and financial aid.

Additional information about the EXCEL program is available online at , while further information on Project IMPACT can be found at  .