Frequently Asked Questions

What is SSS?

Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally-funded grant program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education to provide academic support services to college students who are first generation, low income, or have learning or physical disabilities. The purpose of the program is to retain and graduate students. SSS, like other TRIO programs, is designed to provide participants with equal opportunity and access to higher education.

What is the difference between SSS and ADA?

Student Support Services is funded to serve eligible students. Eligible students are first generation, have limited financial resources, and/or have a documented learning or physical disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Office serves only students with disabilities. Students with disabilities must identify themselves to the ADA Coordinator first and then may be referred to SSS for additional services and support. Both SSS and ADA share office space on the first floor of Zehmer Hall.

What is the difference between SSS and the Tutor Connection?

As mentioned previously, SSS is federally funded to provide tutoring and other services to students who qualify and are accepted into the program. SSS participants have the option of receiving one-on-one intensive tutoring or small-group tutoring. The Tutor Connection is the campus tutoring center and provides group tutoring for any student enrolled at the College. No qualifications are necessary to receive services. Tutoring provided through both SSS and the Tutor Connection is free of cost, and both share office space on the first floor of Zehmer Hall.

Is there a difference between SSS and Student Services?

Yes. Student Services, or Student Affairs, oversees residence life, student activities, clubs and organizations, intramurals, parking, campus store, post office, athletics, career development, dining services, and health and counseling services. Organizationally, SSS is housed under Academic Affairs.

What kinds of services are available through SSS?

SSS provides a number of academic support services that help retain and graduate participants. These services include: academic advising, services for students with disabilities, laptop loan program, assessment and diagnostic services, peer mentoring, priority registration, study skills classes, support groups, workshops, and career, financial aid, graduate school, and personal counseling.

Does SSS provide testing to determine if a student has a learning disability?

No. SSS does not provide psychological or other testing to determine if a student has a learning disability; however, it has a screening instrument used to indicate the possibility of a LD. SSS refers students to the Department of Rehabilitative Services or private agencies for testing and works cooperatively with these agencies and the ADA Coordinator in providing necessary accommodations.

How does a student become an SSS participant?

To become a member of SSS, a student must apply and be accepted based on the eligibility criteria and academic need. The determination of academic need may be based on provisional admission, placement test scores, high school or college GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other measures as determined by SSS staff.

What kind of academic support is available for students who are not eligible for SSS?

Students not eligible or not accepted into SSS have access to the Tutor Connection, which is the tutoring center on campus. Also, there is a Writing Center available to students, as well as several other computer labs on campus.

If I become a participant, what are my obligations to SSS?

All SSS participants must sign a contract stating that they will attend scheduled meetings, tutoring sessions, and workshops, work diligently toward making reasonable academic progress, and evaluate SSS services. If a student fails to meet his or her obligations in regard to this contract, he or she may be placed on inactive status and would no longer receive the full benefits of the program.

What are the benefits of being involved in SSS?

Statistics show that students that are first generation, low income, and/or have disabilities are retained and graduated from college at lower rates than students who do not meet these criteria. Being involved in SSS provides students with the kinds of academic support they might not otherwise have as they face the challenges of obtaining a baccalaureate degree. SSS staff are available to participants from the time they enter the College as first-year students until the time they graduate.