First-Generation Student
Being a first-gen student means that your parent(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, regardless of other family member’s level of education.
What is TRIO-SSS?
The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded outreach program designed to motivate and connect first-generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and/or students with disabilities to the resources they may need to succeed in their academic careers.
Come visit us!
- We are located in the Global Studies Room inside the Rose Library.
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., and by appointment only Fridays 2:00-4:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please call the TRIO-SSS office or use the links at the bottom of this page to meet with a TRIO advisor.
- Phone Number: 704-669-4178
Eligibility
You are eligible for TRIO-Student Support Services if one of the following is true:
- you are a first-generation college student
- you have financial need
- you have a documented disability
Financial Need
Financial need means that your income or your family’s income falls below the income figure determined by the federal government, based on family size.
Disability
A documented disability is a physical, learning or psychological disability that has been verified by a licensed medical doctor.
Services
As a participant in the TRIO-SSS program, you will have opportunities to participate in both on-campus and off-campus cultural enrichment activities, which will enhance your college experience. These activities will be free for all TRIO-SSS students.
Academic Services
- Tutoring
- One-on-one academic advising and educational planning
- Free workshops and seminars on study skills and organization
- Mentoring opportunities to help you set personal and academic goals. We may also be able to arrange visits to colleges and universities you would like to attend.
Counseling and Financial Aid Services
- Personal assistance with applications to four-year universities and financial aid applications.
- We will help you explore both public and private scholarships.
- We also provide personal, career, and academic counseling to help you meet your personal and academic goals.
Making an Impact
Hear from our students how TRIO-SSS has enriched their college experience!
Treyzail Littlejohn TRIO SSS Atlanta Trip: May 2025
Trio has impacted my college experience by giving me the opportunity to explore and look at different colleges and also learn things that I never knew before, and one of my favorite memories from the trip has to be when we went to Universal Studios and got to see Transformers and also the baseball game!
TRIO has impacted my college experience by giving me a hands-on experience of what to see and what to expect out there in the world and all the unique people that I can meet. They also gave me a push forward to get out there more. One of my favorite memories is definitely the trips we go on, especially the aquarium visits, because I am a big nature-loving person. Also, the conversations that I have with the staff and other TRIO students, too.
As a first-gen student trying to balance work, family, and school, TRIO has been a great experience. The program has helped me gain confidence in my schooling and come out of my shell. With all the workshops and the encouragement the staff gives, I have maintained good grades, finished several degrees, and will be coming back in the fall to take more classes. Some of my favorite memories with TRIO are the connections I have made with other students on our outings to colleges and visiting places I always wanted to visit but couldn’t.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAQ
FAQ
Meet the Staff
Sarah Thomas
Director of TRIO Talent Search & TRIO-SSS
- thomass657@clevelandcc.edu
- (704) 669-4189
- 1040G
Adrian Hatch
Advisor
- hatcha265@clevelandcc.edu
- (704) 669-4258
- Global Studies D
Jerry Hopper
Advisor
- hopperj@clevelandcc.edu
- (704) 669-4174
- Global Studies C
Kelly Warburton
TRIO-SSS Specialist
- warburtok016@clevelandcc.edu
- (704) 669-4178
- Global Studies
Nedra Maddox
Director of Student Support
- maddoxn563@clevelandcc.edu
- (704) 669-4142
- 1103D
Jenna Clayton
Student Services Specialist
- claytonj889@clevelandcc.edu
- (704) 669-4178
- Global Studies