What is the Student Support Services/TRiO Program?
Student Support Services/TRIO (SSS) is a Federally funded program (Federal TRiO Programs, U.S. Department of Education) designed to provide academic support and personal motivation for students to be successful in higher education. Our program is required to serve at least 165 eligible students each academic year, considered by the federal guidelines to be at a disadvantage (low-income, first generation college students, and/or individuals with a disability) in college. Priority for selection to the program is given to students in good academic standing (not on academic probation, suspension) that are academic majors intending to transfer to a four-year college or university. Our mission is to help students who are low income, first generation college students, and/or individuals with disabilities graduate from college.
How does the Program Work?
Each student is assigned a designated SSS Counselor/Advisor that provides “active counseling”, “intrusive advising” (monitors the student’s progress continually and makes recommendations) for the student’s success. An individualized educational program (college success plan) is developed in an interactive process between the student and the counselor/advisor. The counselor/advisor recommends possible SSS services, other college program services, and/or community services for each student participant. Our program tracks each of our student participants’ progress until they graduate, transfer, and/or withdraw for any reason from PRCC.
The program is evaluated each year to assure it is successfully meeting the academic support needs of its student participants.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is determined by federal guidelines. If neither of your parents graduated from a four-year college, you have financial need or you have a disability, it is likely you qualify.
In addition, you must be a citizen or national of the U.S. or meet the residency requirements for federal financial assistance and have demonstrated an academic need for the program. SSS will provide assessment and documentation of academic need. Academic Need is defined as students who are poorly prepared for what is expected of them in college, students who have been out of school for several years, students who lack adequate study skills, lack self-confidence and/or need to increase their academic standing to be considered for a specific program or scholarship.
What Academic Support Services are Offered?
SSS is made possible by federal funds through the TRiO Program, Title IV, US Department of Education. SSS offers the following services at no cost to eligible students:
- Workshops/Seminars—Study Skills, Financial Aid, Career Exploration, Preparing for Finals, etc.
- Support Groups—Learning support groups for specific classes or groups of students.
- Tutorial Services— Peer tutoring in all academic subjects, individual and small group sessions.
- Educational Counseling Services—Academic Advisement, Educational Counseling, Career Counseling, Transfer Assistance, etc.
- Computer Availability—two tutorial/computer labs for use by program participants. (Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, etc.)
- Assistance with Financial Aid—apply for and receive the aid for which students are eligible.
- Personal Growth and Development Opportunities—explore all avenues of enhancing a student’s personal growth. (Test Preparation, Learning Styles, Stress Management)
- Assistance and Support to Students with Disabilities—provide advocacy and learning opportunities for the academic success of students with disabilities.
- Summer Orientation Bridge Program— primarily for incoming freshmen.
- Cultural Enrichment Activities—plays, exhibits, etc.
- Educational Trips—visits to nearby four-year colleges and universities.
How do I Apply?
Call or drop by the SSS office in the Jefferson Davis Building, bottom floor, to make an appointment.
We will fill out an application with you for enrollment into the program. We will help you fill it out! If you meet the eligibility guidelines, you will be scheduled for an SSS orientation session, assigned an SSS Advisor/Counselor who will go through the process with you of developing an individualized educational program for success at PRCC. You only have to apply once, but must renew your active status each semester to be served.
Summer Bridge Program (START)
The START (Summer Bridge) Program is a four-week program that runs during the second summer term from July 11, 2022—July 29, 2022, Monday-Thursday only, plus one Friday Field Trip. If you are eligible for Student Support Services/TRIO and accepted for Summer Bridge Program, there is no tuition fee for the program courses; however, students are responsible for other college costs such as books, dorm fees, transportation, etc.
Turn over a new leaf, be a tutor for Student Support Services.
Some of the many benefits to becoming a tutor:
- gain experience in the education field
- earn $10 an hour
- flexible working hours that works around your school schedule
- meet new people
- add to your resume
- help others
- gain better command of subjects tutored
- benefit personally
Qualifications: 3.0 minimum GPA, instructor recommendations, and interview.
For more information, call 601-403-1043 or come by Jefferson Davis Hall, Room 101.
