Sedalia, Missouri – Oct. 27, 2020 –Students who choose State Fair Community College to begin their educational journey may be eligible for its TRiO program that is now accepting participates in Student Support Services (SSS). This federally funded program provides eligible students with free academic support, activities and services that help them earn an associate degree and transfer to a four-year program. Students on all SFCC campuses can apply (Boonville, Clinton, Eldon, Lake of the Ozarks, Sedalia, Whiteman Air Force Base, and online).
SFCC’s program serves 160 eligible students each year. The purpose is to help first generation college students who meet certain income requirements to graduate from SFCC and then transfer to earn a baccalaureate degree. First generation students are those whose parents or guardians do not have a bachelor’s degree prior to the students’ 18th birthday.
Other qualifications include the following: U.S. citizen or legal resident, desire to obtain a bachelor’s degree, demonstrate academic need, and demonstrate ability to benefit from the program. It also serves eligible students with disabilities.
SSS services are free and include tutoring, personalized academic advising, career exploration, Free Application for Student Aid application assistance, financial literacy, four-year college visits, cultural enrichment, scholarship assistance, study and life skills workshops, and transfer assistance. SSS participants are assigned a Student Success Coach who offers personalized guidance, academic support and encouragement to complete students’ educational goals.
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 (DOE) awarded SFCC’s first SSS grant, and since then has been renewed for consecutive funding cycles. In August 2020, the DOE renewed SFCC the grant for 2020-2025.
For more information about SFCC’s TRiO program, go to www.sfccmo.edu/trio. Enrollment for spring semester opens Nov. 3, and applications for admission are free. Spring semester begins Jan 11 and ends May 14. Visit www.sfccmo.edu/apply.
