Student Success & Persistence Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. It provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students towards the successful completion of their postsecondary education. The goal of SSPP is to increase retention and graduation rates and facilitate the process of transition from one level of higher education to the next.

Services provided by the program include:

• Instruction in basic study skills
• Tutorial services
• Academic, financial, or personal counseling
• Assistance in securing admission and financial aid for enrollment in graduate and professional programs
• Information about career options
• Mentoring
• Academic Advising
• Academic Advising assists students in planning their academic programs and fulfilling all requirements for graduation. Freshmen are assigned to counselors/advisors in the Student Success & Persistence Program. After freshman year and as soon as the student selects a major, a faculty member from that major is appointed as the student’s academic advisor.

The Academic Enrichment Program (AEP) ensures that intellectual, cultural, and social activities are essential aspects of education at Rust College. The AEP is a graduation requirement. Students are required to register for 1/2 semester hour credit of AEP each semester during their first two years of attendance at Rust College. Students must receive a total of 2 AEP semester hour credits with appropriate letter grades which are based upon
attendance. These programs include lectures, seminars, assembly, Lyceum Series, chapel programs, concerts, plays, art exhibitions, and any other program which adds to the total development our students.