Cohen Announces $1.25 Million for Southwest Tennessee Community College

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) today announced the U.S. Department of Education has awarded Southwest Tennessee Community College $1,250,000 over five years under the Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Competitive Grant Program.

“Southwest is one of the best community colleges in the country,” said Congressman Cohen. “These new federal funds will help provide African-American students with the necessary tools to achieve their academic, career and life goals. The PBI Competitive Grant Program is a great program that I have been proud to support since getting elected to Congress.”

The PBI Competitive Grant Program provides funding to eligible institutions to plan, develop, undertake and implement programs to enhance the institution’s capacity to serve more low and middle-income Black American students; to expand higher education opportunities for eligible students by encouraging college preparation and student persistence in secondary school and postsecondary education; and to strengthen the financial ability of the institution to serve the academic needs of students.

Southwest Tennessee Community College is the largest comprehensive two-year public college in Tennessee. Funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Post Secondary Education Predominately Black Institutions Formula Grant will support ongoing efforts to increase enrollment, academic success, retention and graduation rates for students at Southwest.