Frequently Asked Questions

TRIO SSS is a federally funded program that addresses students’ academic needs and assists them in meeting their educational goals. The TRIO program at STCC focuses on helping students navigate the college process; experience academic success; and upon earning an Associate degree, transition from STCC to a four-year college/university.

There are a variety of free services that are available to TRIO SSS participants. TRIO students are assigned a TRIO SSS counselor, have access to appointment-based one-on-one tutoring, and admission to all TRIO SSS workshops and events. TRIO also provides students with Math software codes (My Math Lab, Connect Access for Statistics, etc.), and limited TRIO Grant Aid scholarships to Pell Grant recipients!

TRIO students receive assistance in choosing a major; selecting and registering for classes; improving academic grades; applying for financial aid and FAFSA; applying for scholarships; transferring to four-year colleges; exploring and researching careers; developing time management and study skills; and more!

Length of our support. Once you become a TRIO SSS participant, you receive support up until you complete your associate degree at STCC. Whether it takes you 2 years or 4 years to earn your associate degree, TRIO SSS will consistently support you throughout your journey

Type of support. We provide help in many areas such as academic, career, financial aid, transferring, and non-academic concerns as well. We understand that college can be overwhelming, and you may have other roles and responsibilities besides just being a student. When life throws you curveballs, the TRIO staff helps you to problem-solve and find solutions so you can bounce back and focus on your education.

Community. We also work on building a TRIO SSS community. TRIO students are able to establish deep connections and develop a strong support system with TRIO staff and other TRIO students. TRIO also believes that the more support you receive and the more connections you build, the better! We will help you learn about other support services on campus and connect you to them!

NOT AT ALL!! All TRIO SSS services are FREE as long as you meet the required qualification(s) and are accepted into the program! The only trade-off is students are encouraged to invest their time and effort. We invest in you. Invest in yourself by using our services!

You must be:

  • an incoming or current STCC student
  • a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or meet the residency requirements to receive federal student financial aid
  • have an academic need for SSS services
  • have not yet earned an Associate’s degree or higher
  • EITHER be a first-generation college student (neither parent has received a bachelor’s degree); meet U.S. Dept. of Ed income guidelines (as determined by individual or family taxable income); and/or have a documented disability

You will remain in TRIO SSS as long as you are enrolled at STCC. If you fail to meet the expectations on the Participant Agreement however, you can be placed on an inactive status.

No. Students do not have to re-apply to TRIO. Once a TRIO student, always a TRIO student! You should however, reach out and let the TRIO Staff know you are returning to STCC to finish your degree. We will ask you to update your contact information and schedule a meeting with your TRIO Academic Counselor to determine your current needs and set new goals.

Each student is assigned an academic advisor (based upon their major) who helps with academic planning. Academic advisors help students identify the courses and major needed to meet their educational and career goals. Your academic advisor may be a faculty member, an advisor within the Academic Advising and Transfer Center, or it could be your TRIO SSS counselor. Your Academic Advisor may change as your major changes and/or as you progress in college, but you will always have a TRIO Academic Counselor.

TRIO Counselors use holistic approaches to help you develop as a student and prepare for you to go from college to career. Your assigned TRIO counselor will work with you to build a trusting rapport, help identify your strengths, and develop your skills in need of improvement. Your TRIO counselor will continue to work with you until you complete your degree requirements. The program helps connect you to services to enhance your academic success and help you plan for the future. Services include academic planning, economic and financial literacy, financial aid, scholarships, tutoring, transferring, and more.

Yes! You should choose a major based on your interests, skills, and passion. A TRIO counselor can help you identify and develop career and/or transfer goals, and move toward achieving them!

TRIO counselors will work with you to research careers and develop academic and career plans that best fit you and your strengths.

TRIO counselors will help you identify the majors that align with your transfer goals, research colleges/universities, work with you to come up with a strategy, and help you complete transfer admission applications. If you are looking to get into a competitive program at STCC, TRIO counselors will make sure you are in a major that allows you to take the requirements needed for your future program. TRIO counselors will also help you connect to career and transferring resources at STCC such as the Academic Advising and Transfer Center and the Career Development Center!

Yes! TRIO participants who receive a Pell Grant as part of their financial aid package are eligible to apply and/or be nominated by TRIO staff to receive a one-time TRIO Grant Aid Scholarship. Participants must demonstrate their participation in program activities through attendance at TRIO events (orientation, workshops) and use of TRIO counselors or TRIO tutoring. Scholarship recipients are often in their first or second years of attendance at STCC.  We also help TRIO participants locate and apply for STCC internal and external scholarships!

No, TRIO does not provide financial assistance for the cost of textbooks. However, we work collaboratively with other departments on campus such as the Center for Access Services (CAS) or Student Financial Services in order to identify resources to assist students with the cost of books.

Also, through funds received from STCC, TRIO SSS is able to provide participants with free math codes (My Math Lab, My Stats Lab, Connect Web Access for Statistics, WebAssign) for math courses ranging from MAT 078-Pre-Algebra, up to MAT 233-Calculus III.

Each semester, TRIO participants will receive information about the subjects that are available for tutoring and a schedule of the TRIO Peer Tutors' availability. TRIO participants have the benefit of scheduling a one-on-one appointment in advance with a TRIO peer tutor. Any TRIO SSS staff member, including peer tutors, can assist TRIO participants with scheduling an appointment. For non-TRIO participants, there is a possibility of using TRIO peer tutors but only on a drop-in basis. Currently, tutoring is conducted remotely through Google Meets where students have the option of doing a video chat and sharing their screens. When in-person tutoring is able to resume, students can meet with TRIO tutors on the 3rd floor of the STCC Library.

Yes, TRIO participants can meet with a TRIO counselor for assistance in applying for and/or renewing their FAFSA. A TRIO counselor will also help TRIO participants learn about FAFSA, the different types of financial aid, other financial resources, and SAP. TRIO Counselors provide this assistance to ensure your persistence in achieving your degree goal. The TRIO Director will work with Student Financial Services to ensure you receive the best financial aid award possible, and TRIO staff will connect you to financial resources like the Center for Access Services (CAS) to assist you with non-educational financial barriers.

Why not?! If you qualify, you will receive free academic counseling, free tutoring, and free assistance in many areas such as finances, transferring, study skills, careers, and more! You will make new friends and build strong relationships, you will have a support system on campus that will provide you with the resources, information, guidance, and support needed to help you meet your educational goals and much more. Joining the TRIO SSS Program is one of the best investments you can make during your time at STCC!

  • A signed Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA application or the ICER report from Student Financial Services
  • A signed statement verifying household income
  • Students who are classified as “dependent” by Student Financial Services:
    • A signed copy of the parent’s 1040 Tax Returns from the most recent filing.
  • Students who are classified as “independent” by Student Financial Services:
    • A signed copy of the student’s 1040 Tax Returns from the most recent filing.

Students will be scheduled to meet with a TRIO SSS Counselor for an intake interview. During the interview, the Academic Counselor and student will discuss and complete the TRIO SSS Needs Assessment Survey. The purpose of the survey is to gain an understanding of the student’s academic need, determine what the student hopes to gain, and explain the services that are available as a result of participating.

TRIO SSS Counselors will also review the TRIO SSS Student Participation Agreement with the student and explain each expectation to ensure the student understands the requirements of participation. Students will also have a chance to ask questions and get clarification. Once the intake interview is complete, students are scheduled for a final interview with the Director. An acceptance decision is made 3-weeks after the final interview.

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