Student Development FAQs

Student Support Services is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to provide supportive services to educationally disadvantaged and disabled participants to enhance their skills and increase their retention and graduation rates from college. Participants in the Student Support Services Program should have educational potential and be willing to attend counseling and tutoring sessions.

All participants must be currently enrolled at the College. Prospective participants in the Student Support Services Program must complete an application. Verification of low-income status is mandatory. This may be done through the Financial Aid Office or by submission of the family’s most recent income tax return form.

The purpose of the Student Support Services Program is to increase the retention and graduation rates of the Student Support Services’ participants who require supportive services in order to complete their education at the College. In order to fulfill this purpose, the following requirements must be met: 1. Each student must attend counseling sessions bi-monthly. 2. Each student (who needs tutoring) must attend at least one one-hour tutoring session per week. 3. Each student must attend the seminars and workshops sponsored by the Student Support Services Program.

Students with academic potential who may be at some disadvantage because of a disability, low income and /or first generation status (neither parent has a bachelor’s degree) are eligible.

Supportive services provided by the Student Support Services Program are counseling, career information, tutoring, academic advising, financial aid workshops, cultural enrichment, evaluation, transfer assistance and follow-up. Limited financial assistance may be available for students who maintain the required GPA and who have a financial need as determined by the SSS staff and the Financial Aid Office. In order to receive financial assistance in TRiO Student Support Services, contact the Program Director on your campus.