Sylvania ROOTS Program frequently asked questions

Why am I getting e-mails from ROOTS?

The Sylvania ROOTS Program sends out e-mails at the beginning of every term to the instructors of our students. We would like to let instructors know about the resources available to program participants and to faculty and staff working with our students. If a Sylvania ROOTS Program student is having difficulty in a course you teach please contact the program, let us know what is going on, and we will see if we can help. Also, if a student is experiencing great success in your class, please drop us a line so that we can reinforce that success with the student.

What about students’ privacy and FERPA?

Upon entry into the program, students sign a consent form letting them know that we will be communicating with other college faculty and staff to support students educational career at PCC.

Do you have an advisory committee?

Yes, we are very fortunate to be working with a committed group of PCC employees who help us monitor program implementation and recommend necessary improvements. The advisory committee has representation from the Advising and Admissions, Counseling, College Success Skills Department, English and Modern Languages Division, Financial Aid, Math Department, Multicultural Center, Office for Students with Disabilities, Institutional Research, and Women’s Resource Center. If you would like to join the advisory committee, please contact Lynn Montoya.

Does ROOTS pay for college?

The Sylvania ROOTS Program does not pay for college or give students money (scholarships, etc.) for school. However, the program helps students learn about available resources and options for paying for school. When Sylvania ROOTS Program students successfully complete both required classes and are in good academic standing, the Sylvania ROOTS Program may pay for a maximum of four credits in the term after they complete the second class. Not all students are eligible. Please see the Sylvania ROOTS Program Director for further eligibility criteria.

When is the last day I can pay my bill?

Your PCC bill is always due in full the second Friday of the term. If you register after that date payment is due within one week. Payment plans are available. Please visit the Paying in Installments web page or call the Business Office at 503-977-4234 for 50/50 Plan paperwork.

I heard the program is a grant for students?

Unfortunately, the program is not a grant for students. The program is a federally funded through the US Department of Education. We provide support services to students to help them finish school at PCC and make a successful transition to their next steps in life, school and career.

Does the program pay for childcare?

The program does not pay for childcare costs. However, we work closely with Child Care Services to help students identify available resources.

How do I get financial aid?

The first step in receiving financial aid is filling out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form which can be picked up at the financial aid office or can be accessed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

What should I do if I get a financial aid disqualification letter?

As is true with any information that you receive from the Financial Aid Office, please respond immediately to it. If you receive a disqualification letter please contact your Sylvania ROOTS Program advisor immediately. Your advisor will guide you through the financial aid appeal process.

How do I get childcare?

Sylvania campus has a Child Development Center for children who are between the ages of 14 months to five years old. Call 503-977-4424 or visit HT 220 between 8am – 4pm for more information on the Child Development Center. For children of other ages, call Child Care Resource and Referral at 503-977-4366 for referrals to off-campus providers and/or subsidy assistance .

Where do I get counseling?

PCC's free, professional counseling services can help you solve problems and develop your academic and personal potential. They can help with career development and exploration, learning problems, study skills, personal issues, and assessing your abilities, interests and values. The Counseling office is located in the CC Building, room 216 next to River City Café.

Can I get health insurance through PCC?

Students can purchase accident and sickness insurance through the college. The admissions offices has brochures about the insurance. If you would like to contact the insurance company directly the contact information is as follows:

Insurance Benefits, LLC PO Box 8482 Coburg, OR 97408 (800) 644-5165 Remember to tell the insurance company that you are a student at Portland Community College. Accident and Sickness coverage for the student for one term is $108.00.

Otherwise, students may be eligible for the Oregon Health Plan. The Oregon Health Plan has eligibility screenings periodically at PCC. Please check our events calendar for the next screening.

How do I get a tutor?

The Sylvania campus offers a variety of tutoring services on campus. See Tutoring at Sylvania.

What do you cover in the Sylvania ROOTS Program classes?

The Sylvania ROOTS Program requires program participants to take two, specially tailored classes designed to help students succeed in college. Our Study Skills for College Learning (CG 111B) provides information, techniques, strategies and skills helpful in becoming more efficient in the classroom. Our Career Development class (CG 140B) helps students choose a career and how to get from where they are now to where they want to be. Through our classes students learn how to write scholarship essays and how to apply for scholarships.

Who pays for the classes?

The Sylvania ROOTS Program pays the tuition cost for students taking the required classes for the program.

How much does the book cost?

The book costs approximately $32.50.

Will I have to do homework for the classes?

Yes, there will be homework for the Sylvania ROOTS Program classes. As a general rule, you can expect to have 2 hours of homework for every 1 hour of class time.

Will these credits transfer?

Credits from our required CG classes will transfer as an elective if students are applying for a transfer degree, but not for an Associates of Applied Science.

What if I have already taken these classes?

There will be some topics that overlap with other CG classes, but new information will also be presented. Our curriculum has been designed to specifically address the needs of low income, first generation college students, and students with disabilities. Please talk with your Advisor or the Director for more information.

What can the Sylvania ROOTS Program do for me?

The Sylvania ROOTS Program supports students while pursuing their education at PCC. Through services like individualized academic advising, financial aid/scholarship information, career planning, and meeting other students striving for success, the program wants to help you be successful. We also make referrals to reading, writing and math tutoring in addition to assisting students in accessing off-campus resources.

What do I have to do to be a part of the Sylvania ROOTS Program?

To see if you are eligible for the Sylvania ROOTS Program please fill out an application. To receive an application you may stop by the office at the Sylvania Campus, CC Building, Room 272, apply online or call 503-977-8195 and an application will be sent to you in the mail. After your application has been turned into the program, the Director will follow up with you to talk more about your interest in the program.

How do I get in?

See the ROOTS Admission web page for eligibility and application information.

How long is the program?

The Sylvania ROOTS Program supports eligible students for as long as they are at PCC (Sylvania campus). During the first year in the program, students are required to take two mandatory classes. Students work with program staff to develop a long term education and career plan, and then follow that plan for the time they are at PCC. Students continue to meet with their assigned advisor twice each term for as long as they are in the program.

Is there a fee for the program?

Thanks to funding from the Department of Education, there is no fee for students in the program.

Why is there a ROOTS Program?

Funding for the Sylvania ROOTS Program was authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965. It is part of a funding umbrella called “TRiO” programs, and it is a Student Support Services program. Our goal is to help low-income and first generation college student and individuals with disabilities graduate from college. Portland Community College applied for and was given a grant to run the program.

Is this just at Sylvania?

Yes, the program is only at Sylvania. When multi-campus institutions apply for grants from the US Department of Education the institutions must apply as an individual campus. PCC only received funding to run the program at Sylvania.

Are there leadership opportunities? If so, will I get paid?

Yes, there are leadership opportunities through the Sylvania ROOTS Program. Second year Sylvania ROOTS Program students can apply for student mentor positions.

Student mentors offer a consistent, structured, stable relationship between themselves and a mentee (person being mentored). This involves a commitment of meeting with mentees for at least one hour per week for one full term. The focus of the relationship is to provide the mentee with information, skills and resources that will lead him/her to academic success and independence. Student mentor positions are paid positions.

Please see the Sylvania ROOTS Program staff for further eligibility requirements for leadership positions.

Is this a club?

Though not a club, the Sylvania ROOTS Program is a student support services program. Program participants are required to fulfill certain responsibilities for continued participation in the program, and students are in the program for as long as they are attending Sylvania and want our services.

Is TRiO/ROOTS at other schools?

Yes, there are other programs like the Sylvania ROOTS Program at other schools. The official name given to our program by the Department of Education is Student Support Services, which is a type of TRiO grant. Therefore at other schools there may be similar programs, but may have different names like “Student Support Services” or “TRiO”. Students in our program came up with our program name as a way to more clearly describe what we do. If you plan on moving on to another institution the Sylvania ROOTS Program would be happy to help investigate if the future school has a similar program.

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