TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

This LibGuides page is for the TRIO Student Support Services grants at Kirkwood Community College, which support students who are currently enrolled at Kirkwood Community College. For those not currently enrolled in college credit classes at Kirkwood, please view information about Kirkwood's other TRIO grants to see if you qualify:

• For middle/high school students currently in grades 6-12 please check the TRIO Talent Search page on Kirkwood's website or call 319-398-1048.
• For high school students (grades 9-12) who are enrolled at Washington High School or Midland High School, please visit the TRIO Upward Bound Math Science page on Kirkwood's website or call 319-398-7156.
• For adults over the age of 19 who are not currently enrolled in college credit courses or are in the high school completion program, please check the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) page on Kirkwood's website for more information or call 319-398-5684.

What is TRIO Student Support Services?

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federal grant program funded through the U.S. Department of Education. By participating, you will gain access to services and opportunities individualized to meet your needs.

The TRIO Student Support Services program staff is committed to student success from enrollment to graduation leading to work or to transfer. The goal of Kirkwood's TRIO program is to promote academic and personal success of all participants through ongoing support.

What TRIO SSS Programs are available to Kirkwood Community College students?

Kirkwood has two TRIO Student Support Services grants:

• TRIO Student Support Services - Traditional serves students on the Cedar Rapids campus who are first generation students, low income, and/or have a documented disability. TRIO-Traditional is funded to serve 175 students per academic year.
• TRIO Student Support Services - ESL serves students enrolled at the Cedar Rapids campus or Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa in Coralville who identify as ESL (speak, read, or write in a first language that is not English) and are first generation, low income, and/or have a documented disability. TRIO - ESL is funded to serve 140 students per academic year.

Program Benefits

TRIO SSS participants are eligible for the following services:

• Academic coaching 
• Career exploration
• Financial aid guidance, including help with the FAFSA process, scholarship applications and financial literacy workshops
• Highly-trained Academic Support Specialists who work one-on-one with students for optimal learning in subjects such as writing, math, and science
• Transfer planning, including assistance with the application process, and college and university visits to enable a smooth transition
• Referrals to campus and community services