Services

SSS provides services to participants year round.

Our services include but are not limited to:

Academic advising

Academic Advising is provided for all SSS participants. The director, counselor and academic coordinator work one-on-one with our students to provide continual academic advice, from scheduling to picking appropriate classes to match student needs from semester to semester.

Financial aid counseling

SSS staff work closely with the Financial Aid department on campus to assure that full financial need is met for all project participants. An excellent working relationship between SSS and Financial Aid assures that project participants will have full access to financial aid staff and resources.

Career counseling

Junior and senior participants work with project staff to begin the process of planning for career choice and preparation for the job market. The Career Counseling Office offers resources and holds workshops for SSS particpants to have full access to career information resources.

Personal counseling

While the College maintains a Counseling office where all students may receive counseling, SSS staff work closely with all active participants and are available for personal counseling on a day-to-day basis. For those students in need of more intensive counseling services, referrals are made to the College counseling office.

Accommodations for students with disabilities

Student Support Services works closely with the Office of the ADA Coordinator to provide services for our documented students with disabilities. The SSS Counselor serves as the ADA Coordinator, and accommodations are provided through that office. All students needing academic accommodations should identify themselves to the ADA Coordinator. For more information, call Narda Porter at (540) 328-0177 or e-mail her at n_porter@uvawise.edu.
You may also read more about this on the ADA Web page at www.uvawise.edu/ada.

Peer support groups

SSS has several support groups that vary from semester to semester. TRANSIT is the support group for all transfer and nontraditional students. In addition, we have had active support groups for students with disabilities and minority students.

Workshops that address student needs

Workshops dealing with study skills, test-taking, stress, time-management, financial aid, résumé building and more are offered each semester.

Laptop Loan Program

Participants may check out laptops each semester on a first-come, first-serve basis. This allows students to work on papers and do school work at times and places more convenient to their schedules.

Priority Tutoring

While tutoring is provided to all students at the College, Student Support Services participants have the opportunity to receive more intensive priority tutoring. Participants who have a greater need for tutoring will get priority scheduling and unlimited tutoring time as needed.

Mentoring

A freshman mentoring program, under the guidance of the Academic Coordinator, pairs upperclassmen with freshmen participants each fall. Mentors keep in touch with freshmen via phone, e-mail, and regular mail. Freshmen are continually apprised of activities, deadlines and opportunities that arise throughout the semester. In addition, freshmen have a point of contact available to them at all times.

Priority registration

SSS participants will have the opportunity to take advantage of priority registration each semester. Students will receive information stating times and availability. It will be up to the student to respond and sign up for priority registration.

Supplemental Grant Aid

SSS freshman participants who qualify based on financial aid criteria may be eligible for direct monetary aid each spring semester.

Graduate School Counseling

SSS participants who are interested in attending graduate school recieve counseling and tips to begin the process and follow through to completion. SSS Staff will take students to visit regional graduate schools and work with them on a timeline for the application process.