SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)- Georgia Southern University (GSU) has received almost $3 million dollars of federal funding as they renew their TRIO grant and expand their Sponsored Student Programs.

The university's long-standing TRIO program has been renewed for another five years; this allows them to add new programs and resources. This grant comes from the United States Department of Education.

This federal grant is specifically for first-generation students, low-income students and students with disabilities. Associate Vice President for OELDE Dominique Quarles said over 9,000 students across all GSU campuses will qualify for this assistance.

"They provide academic tutoring; they help students select their courses and some of them provide some additional financial assistance," Quarles said. "This is to assist them as they navigate the undergraduate experience as well as career exploration."

Quarles said this federal funding will provide some much-needed relief for their students.

"We receive these grants because whether the government is open or not, students already have these needs," Quarles said. "We're just glad to be able to continue to provide for those needs this time."

GSU has recently added a program for students who are in need of childcare services. The Armstong, Huntsville and Liberty Campuses have toys and other items so kids can play with while their parent can continue to receive their education.

"We were fortunate enough to be able to designate a location where we have a lot of child friendly items for students on campus," Quarles said. "So that's all in our portfolio Sponsor Student Programs and all of these are sponsored by the Department of Education."

Quarles said he knows first had just how important TRIO programs can be when ensuring student success.

"I'm a product of federal trio programs," Quarles said. "I graduated from Georgia Southern, so I think that these programs and I know that these programs work. I think that our students and our alumni are proof of that every single day. "

This grant is a part of a five-year program and at the end of the fifth year they hope to apply again.