DOVER, Del. --- Delaware State University’s successful student-athlete graduation efforts have received a boost from the NCAA.

DSU is among nine Division I schools to share more than $4 million dollars from the NCAA to support academic programs that help student-athletes earn degrees.

The NCAA has awarded Delaware State a three-year 450 thousand dollar grant from its Accelerated Academic Success Program. The grants help schools enhance their student-athlete graduation initiatives to meet the requirements of the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program, which was developed to ensure schools provide an environment that supports education while enhancing the ability of student-athletes to earn a degree.

The NCAA grants can be used to fund increased academic support services staffing and space; technology upgrades; career planning; professional development; and increased availability of summer financial aid for student-athletes.

Louis “Skip” Perkins, interim associate vice president and athletics director, said he is “elated”   that the NCAA committee selected DSU as a recipient of the Accelerated Academic Success Program grant, and noted that it is consistent with DSU’s PRIDE 2020 Strategic Plan’s goals relating to student success, as well as increased retention and graduation rates.

“We will embrace the strengths of our campus – renowned faculty/staff, academic and career enhancement centers, and continue our campus wide collaboration to solidify the academic foundation that is the cornerstone of the DSU athletic program,” AD Perkins said.