The University of Pennsylvania and Community College of Philadelphia have received federal grants each totalling more than $200,000 to assist economically disadvantaged students in earning degrees.
U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah announced Monday that the Philadelphia colleges received the grants through the Department of Education's Student Support Services Program.
The University of Pennsylvania's grant of $277,857 will be used to help 175 eligible students in preparing for professional careers or graduate studies after getting their undergraduate degrees, focusing on programs such as individual counseling and personal mentoring.
As for the Community College of Philadelphia, their $257,087 grant will go toward 225 students each year for programs such as needs assessment and financial literacy, as well as counseling and advising.
"The support services offered by Penn and CCP will help them successfully navigate the college experience, develop their financial literacy skills and knowledge, and ultimately prepare them to graduate and reach their fullest potential," Fattah said in a news release.
The Student Support Services Program assists low-income college students and holds competitions for handing out grants every four years to award them for five-year cycles, according to the program's website.
Representative Fattah was charged in a 29-count racketeering conspiracy indictment in July. Appearing in federal court on Tuesday, he claimed innocence.