COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — A federal program at Central Community College in Columbus is helping low-income, first-generation or disabled students remain in school.

TRIO is an organization through the U.S. Department of Education with programs designed to identify and help those from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve their educational and career goals. TRIO students take a free course designed to help them adapt to college life and teach them academic and life skills.

Rosie Heinisch, the TRIO director at the college, says that the program ultimately leads to self-confidence.

The Columbus campus was the first in the Central Community College to start the TRIO program in 2001. The program is now at all of the college’s campuses. The school has received a five-year grant that will partially fund the program.