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Student Support Services

Mission

TRIO Student Support Services coaches/mentors Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ students who are first-generation, low-income, and/or have a disability toward the successful completion of baccalaureate degrees by providing opportunities for academic, personal, and professional development as well as financial support.


Vision

TRIO Student Support Services will be an exemplary program, recognized for best practices that foster a culture of inclusion for students who are first-generation, low-income, and/or have a disability. We empower these students to successfully complete baccalaureate degrees.


Values

Equity: We value access for all to appropriate resources and opportunities, enabling each individual to succeed.
Relationships: We value the transformative power of human relationships and understand their role in creating the conditions for success.
Learning: We value comprehensive education comprised of knowledge, skills, and personal growth.
Resilience: We value, recognize, and nurture tenacity in the face of barriers.
Empowerment: We value the development of confident, independent, and productive individuals


TRIO Student Support Services at the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ - Fort Smith has been funded by a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Education

The TRIO SSS program provides academic and personal support services to 140 eligible students each year. Applications are accepted from all Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ bachelor's degree-seeking undergraduates.

The TRIO SSS program is designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of first-generation college students, students with limited family income, and students with disabilities.

The SSS program provides an array of support services including:

  • Free tutoring and test prep for program-required exams
  • Supplemental academic advising
  • One-on-one coaching in the areas of financial aid, career development, and graduate and professional school admission
  • Academic and professional development workshops and activities
  • Campus and community cultural enrichment activities
  • Peer mentoring


Eligibility

The government sets eligibility requirements for all federally funded grants, including those offered by the Department of Education, such as the TRIO SSS program. Students must meet both the primary and secondary requirements outlined below.

Student participants must meet all three of the requirements below.

  1. Is a citizen of the United States or for federal student financial assistance. 
  2. Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in the next academic term at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥. Has a need for academic support, as determined by TRIO SSS, to successfully pursue a postsecondary educational program. Students meeting one or more of the following conditions meets the need for academic support requirement:
    • Enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥
    • High school GPA below 3.0
    • ACT composite or any sub-score below 21
    • Currently has failing grades in one or more courses
    • Returning adult student (beginning college at age 23 or older)
    • Lacks academic preparedness for college-level coursework
    • Needs help in determining career or educational goals
    • Has need for support to raise grades in major or required courses
    • Is in danger of losing a scholarship due to academic performance

In addition to meeting all the above requirements, participants must also meet at least one of the following requirements:

  1. From a limited-income household – Guidelines are determined by the number of family members living in your household and the  amount from the year prior to application to SSS.
  2. First-generation college student – From the household in which you primarily grew up, neither parent nor legal guardian has completed a bachelor’s degree.
  3. Individual with a disability – To facilitate the documentation of disabilities for the program, students are encouraged to register with the Office of ADA Services.