The TRiO SSS program at SFCC serves 160 eligible students. The Mission of the SSS program is to help first generation* students who meet income eligibility requirements to graduate from SFCC and to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree. All TRiO services are FREE to participants*.
TRiO Services -
Student Support Services provides the following FREE services to participants at all SFCC campuses and online – Boonville, Clinton, Eldon, Lake of the Ozarks, Sedalia, and Whiteman Air Force Base*:
- Tutoring
- Personalized academic advising
- Career exploration
- FAFSA completion and submission
- Financial literacy
- 4-Year campus visits
- Cultural enrichment
- Scholarship assistance
- Study and life skills workshops
- Transfer assistance to 4-year schools
*A first generation student is an SFCC student whose parents or guardians do not have a bachelor’s degree prior to the student’s 18th birthday.
Success Coaches
Each TRiO participant is provided a Student Success Coach. Your Student Success Coach becomes your “go-to” person on campus. Your coach works with you to develop a “guided pathway” that leads you to your degree at SFCC and on to your bachelor’s degree at the four-year institution of your choice. Your Student Success Coach works exclusively with you to ensure your academic program is correct, your financial aid resources are sufficient and that you receive the academic and moral support to successfully complete your education and pursue your career goals.
Tutoring
TRiO tutoring is personalized, one-on-one tutoring with a Professional Science, Math or Peer Tutor. SSS tutoring is coordinated by Whitney Hamilton. Whitney has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English from Harding University in Arkansas and a Master’s of Science in Education from the University of Central Missouri. Whitney coordinates SSS Tutoring and works individually with students who demonstrate academic need — falling below a “C” in a course or in need of study skills enrichment. Whitney also serves as the science and English tutor for TRiO.
Qualifying for the Program
Students must qualify for the TRiO SSS program. Qualifications include:
• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• First generation status*
• Income eligibility*
• Disability documentation*
• Desire to transfer to pursue a bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrate academic need
• Demonstrate ability to benefit
*Must meet criteria for at least one of these. Must be first generation OR income eligible OR a student with a disability. You do not have to meet all three of these criteria.
Qualifying students must apply and provide documentation of eligibility. After applying, students receive an email about their eligibility status and next steps in the application process. Participation is limited and the SSS program is selective.
If you believe you would benefit from the TRiO SSS program at SFCC, please submit your application. We are able to accept applications and serve students from ALL SFCC campuses including Boonville, Clinton, Eldon, Lake of the Ozarks, Sedalia, Whiteman Air Force Base and online.
Background
The TRiO programs began under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. In 1968, TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) was funded to form the third program, making a “TRiO” of federal programs.
In September 2000, the U.S. Department of Education awarded SFCC’s first SSS grant, and since then has been renewed for consecutive funding cycles. In August 2021, the U.S. Department of Education renewed SFCC the TRIO SSS grant for 2020-2025. The amount of grant funding awarded for the 2022-2023 fiscal year is $293,861.
