TRIO: SSS

Student Support Services Overview

Student Support Services Overview

The Student Support Services (SSS) program at Alcorn State University is a federally funded program designed to enhance student's skills and increase retention and graduation rates. The Student Support Services Program is funded under the Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 through the United States Department of Education. The SSS Program works in cooperation with all offices at Alcorn State University to provide the necessary academic support to help students remain in school, graduate, and go on to graduate or professional school. For more information, click here to view an informational slideshow.

Purpose Of Student Support Services

Since the inception of the Student Support Services program at Alcorn State University almost 30 years ago, the purpose of the SSS program has been to provide opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants, and facilitate the process of transition from one level of higher education to the next.

Eligible Participants

To qualify for participation in the Student Support Services Program, an applicant must:

Be officially admitted and enrolled at Alcorn State University
Meet income criteria set forth by the US Department of Education
Be a first generation college student [This means that neither parent has received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree]
Be a citizen of the United States
Students presenting evidence of a documented disability are eligible for participation

Federal Requirements

(A) At least two-thirds of the students served by the Student Support Services program will be —

(1) Low-income individuals who are first generation college students; or

(2) Individuals with documented disabilities;

(B) The remaining students it will serve will be low-income individuals, first generation college students, or individuals with documented disabilities;

(D) Each student participating in the program will be offered sufficient financial assistance to meet that student's full financial need.

All participants must be citizens of the United States. All students must have need for academic support and/or assistance. First generation college students are those neither of whose parents have completed a bachelor's degree.

Services

The Student Support Services program is dedicated to improving the lives of students by assisting them educationally, financially, and socially. Our vision is to be an interminable resource for the participants by exploiting their educational opportunities, their academic abilities, and their social and cultural backgrounds.

Academic support is offered to all students participating in the program via special workshops, tutorials, computer learning programs, and study skills instruction.

The Tutorial Component of SSS is designed to aid participants in an effort to increase academic excellence. The main purpose of this component is to assist students in improving academic skills, study habits, and note-taking techniques. A tutorial lab complete with computers, Internet access, printers, text books, learning software, and tutors is available for the students' use. This facility is structured to provide each student with a comfortable environment conductive to study.

Other services provided by the program include:

Instruction in basic study skills
Academic, financial, or personal counseling
Assistance in securing admission and financial aid for enrollment in four-year institutions
Assistance in securing admission and financial aid for enrollment in graduate and professional programs
Information about career options
Mentoring
Special services for students with limited English proficiency

The SSS program may provide Grant Aid to current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants.

Cost of Program Participation

All services are provided at no cost to participants of the Student Support Services Program.

Application Information

For consideration for the SSS program all applications must be completed entirely, and requested documentation must be submitted along with the application. Students will soon be able to fill the applications online on this web site. Incomplete applications can not be considered. Every effort will be made to contact applicants to notify them of incomplete applications. No student is denied participation in the Student Support Services program because of religion, race, ethnic or national origin, sex, or physical handicap.

Learning Express

TRiO Programs

Alcorn State University
1000 ASU Drive, #240
210 Bowles Hall
Alcorn State, MS 39096-7500

Student Support Services

Phone: (601) 877-6220
Fax: (601) 877-2481

Upward Bound

Phone: (601) 877-6224
Fax: (601) 877-6225