TRIO Student Support Services Grant Renewed Through 2025

The grant that funds the TRIO Student Support Services program at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges has been renewed through 2025.

TRIO SSS is a 100-percent federally-funded program from the U.S. Department of Education that is designed to provide academic development and assist students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. 

“The goal of SSS is to increase college retention and graduation rates of its participants and to help students make the transition from one academic level of higher education to the next,” says IECC Director of TRIO Student Support Services Wain Davis. “Students that are the first in their family to pursue a Bachelor’s degree, meet the income guidelines for the program, or have a documented disability are invited to apply for this amazing program.”

Davis says that TRIO SSS has been a part of IECC for more than 25 years and has helped countless participants in reaching their academic goals. TRIO SSS uses a variety of activities to help students including intensive academic advising, workshops and trainings, cultural and college trips, student mentor programs, and tutoring. The program also helps students with budgeting, supplies, career counseling, and provides students with information about financial aid assistance.

Davis says current IECC students who meet the eligibility requirements that want to learn more about TRIO SSS can visit a representative at Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, or Wabash Valley College. Information about the program is also posted online at www.iecc.edu/trio.

The renewed TRIO SSS grant starts September 1, 2020, and will end August 31, 2025.