A Westchester university is expanding a program designed to help more students make it to graduation day.

Robert Grella is a transfer student who is studying communications at SUNY Purchase.

"Originally, I was going to do media, but with that I would have had to do a third year, and it's expensive, so I was just like I'll do communications," Grella says.

The junior joined a program at school called ACE to help him pay for his degree and stay on track academically.

"I have an advisor who I meet with," Grella says. "They help me pay for groceries and help pay for textbooks."

SUNY Purchase President Michael Steiper says ACE helps students overcome barriers that would prevent them from finishing their degree.

The program is available at several SUNY schools and is currently expanding at Purchase.

"Right now, we have the largest cohort yet," Steiper says. "It helps us support our students and give them what they need, so they can succeed right here at SUNY Purchase."

The program was able to expand because of additional funding secured by lawmakers like State Sen. Shelley Mayer.

Mayer says the hard work was worthwhile for herself and the students.

"They're going to go out and learn those skills and be able to get a good job, maybe even go further in school and contribute not only economically, but in their heart," Mayer says. "That's what we want public education to do."

To learn how you can enroll in the program, click here. https://www.suny.edu/asap-ace/#campuses