By Sandra Chalmers: Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Aaron Jaffe

Pictured:  Trio Administrative Assistant/Tutor Margaret Nuttall

Did you know that there is a program on campus that helps ensure students’ academic success? Can help you stay on track and graduate on time? Offer services such as laptop loans, tutoring services, and priority registration?

Trio Student Support Services (SSS) devotes its services to helping low-income students, first generation, and students with a disability background stay on track for graduation.

The program aims to give students all the tools needed to help in all their academic ambitions.

“Working in collaboration with many other resources on campus, the primary purpose of our program can be stated in one simple phrase: increase the retention and improve the graduation rates of our student participants,” said Heather Norway, Director of TRIO/SSS in her director’s message featured on the TRIO/SSS website, http://www.csusm.edu/sss/index.html.

Services SSS provide include priority registration for all students enrolled and accepted into the program, which becomes a vital component to academic success in our current economic storm of crashing classes and crossing fingers that someone drops the course.

Also, laptop loans are available for students that do not have computer access at home.

Workshops, educational and personal counseling, and even graduate school preparation are also other services SSS provides.

More than a third of all SSS students finished the 2009-2010 year with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, as stated in the SSS newsletter for fall 2010.

“Despite all the resources available, it is important to remember that your success will depend largely on you, the individual student,” continued Northway.

SSS focuses on academic success, but not everything is related to study.  SSS helps enrich students’ cultural growth and college experience by also providing students access to culture activities such as plays and musical performances.

“What are some of the unique contributions that you can provide to CSUSM and your community?  What measures can you take now to become your own best advocate for your education? Along the way, strive to develop and nurture your own resiliency as you face each new challenge.”

Federally funded by the U.S Department of Education, the Trio program at CSUSM can service a limit of 200 students with an assortment of services aimed at helping students reach their academic goals.

In order to join SSS, students must apply and meet at least one of these items: be at low-income, determined according to federal guidelines, or be a first-generation college student meaning neither parent has completed a 4-year college degree or have a verified disability.

In addition, a student must also meet all of the following criteria: have U.S. Citizenship or legal resident status, qualify for federal financial aid, and have a current FAFSA on file and have evidence of academic need as indicated on the SSS application.

TRIO/SSS accepts applications all year round. Students can apply by downloading the application on the TRIO/SSS website.