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TRIO SSS is a college success program!
Services for TRIO students
- Advisors with small caseloads for highly personalized support
- Tuition-free courses in study skills, financial literacy, and writing for scholarships
- Assistance with applying for Financial aid and scholarships
- A strong sense of community and mentorship opportunities with other current and former TRIO students
Who can apply?
If you are working on your first college degree or certificate, you may be able to apply if you identify with being any of the following:
- First-generation college student
- Student with a documented disability
- Low-income student
How to apply
- The TRIO SSS application is now closed for Winter 2026. It will reopen around Week 3 of Winter term so that students can apply to join TRIO SSS for Spring 2026.
- The beginning of the application helps you check if you’re eligible to apply! You can also learn more and review FAQs about TRIO before you begin the application.
More about eligibility for TRIO Student Support Services
Students who can join TRIO SSS at PCC:
Are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
As of March 27, 2025, federal TRIO programs are able to provide services to students with these citizenship statuses: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Meet at least one federal guideline
You are:
- A low-income student.
- A first-generation college student (the parent(s) or guardian(s) who raised you do not have a bachelor’s degree or higher).
- A student with a documented disability.
Are working on their first college degree
In most cases, you have already earned a high school diploma, GED®, or equivalent.
Meet our academic need guidelines
You are still working on completing at least one of any of the following courses, or your highest placement was one of them within one year before applying for TRIO SSS:
- Reading 90 or 115
- Writing 90 or 115
- Math 20, 58, 60, 65, 70, 95, 98, 105 or 111
- ESOL Level 7 or Level 8 courses
- Contact us before applying if you are taking ESOL courses below Level 7/8
Are in Financial Aid Good Standing with a GPA of at least 2.0
- Current students are in Good Standing if they have earned at least 67% of the credits they have attempted, and their GPA is at least 2.0.
- Brand new students are automatically in Good Standing
Students are welcome to apply when they are expecting to be in Financial Aid Good Standing by the beginning of the next term.
If you aren’t sure of your status, you can see information about this on your Financial Aid Dashboard in your MyPCC account, on the Paying for College tab. You can also connect with someone in Financial Aid if you have questions.
Plan to enroll in at least six credits per term, or at least 24 per year
TRIO SSS admits students who are seeking to earn a degree (or 1+ year certificate) from PCC within about three years of entering the program.
Students can be in the program for four cohort years, and each cohort year ends on August 31st.
Preview the TRIO Student Agreement to get an even better idea of the expectations for TRIO students.
Are usually not a current member of another college success program
TRIO SSS is part of a family of College Success Programs at PCC! Students who are part of CALI, CAMP, or Future Connect are not able to be in those programs at the same time as TRIO, but it may be possible for you to participate in one of those programs and then move to TRIO later. You are welcome to get in touch with us or your current coach/advisor if you have questions about this!
What happens after submitting an application?
An automatic confirmation email is sent to you
(If you do not get a confirmation that your application has been received, it is possible that your application was not complete. Please reach out to us from your PCC email address, in person, or by phone if you have any questions.)
TRIO SSS will contact you about next steps
After staff look at your application, we will reach out to you about any questions we or you might have, and share information about the next steps. You are always welcome to send us an email with any questions!
TRIO SSS Orientation Dates
Students who are eligible to continue with TRIO admission for the upcoming term will be invited to attend one orientation session with the Director of TRIO SSS and TRIO program staff.
Orientations are scheduled to be on Zoom. Students who are invited to orientation would choose one of the following times to attend:
- Tuesday, October 14, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
- Wednesday, October 29, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Faculty Inservice Day – most classes that start before 4:00 PM will not be held!)
- Monday, November 17, 2:00 – 3:00pm
Admission Status
After Orientation, TRIO SSS will reach out to you. If you are currently enrolled in classes, we’ll have an update about your status once final grades are posted.
Once a student is accepted into TRIO SSS, you are asked to:
- Submit your TRIO Student Agreement (preview)
- Schedule your first advising appointment with your assigned TRIO advisor!
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