Student Support Services

TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) serves 165 eligible participants each year. It is designed to provide academic support to students who are low income, first generation and /or have a documented disability. 

The TRiO Student Support Services program at Piedmont Technical College is committed to increasing retention, graduation and transfer through academic, career and personal advising.

Apply to the SSS Program

SSS provides valuable support and services that will assist in student success and persistence towards graduation.  SSS serves to motivate and help students to accomplish their goals by offering comprehensive individualized support.

Student Support Services is a part of TRiO and federally funded by the Department of Education.

Our Mission

The TRiO Student Support Services program is committed to providing quality academic services to improve the overall success of our participants while increasing their exposure to cultural, educational, and career-related activities. Improved persistence, graduation, and transfer rates are top priorities.

Student Support Services Program Benefits, Services and Eligibility Requirements

As a participant in the Student Support Services Program you will have access to the following benefits and services: 

Academic Support
  • A single point of contact for academic support, career readiness, financial aid, and/or transfer related questions
  • Personalized academic support based on the students’ needs
  • Additional three (3) hours of tutoring weekly (at no additional cost to the student)
Workshops

An array of topics such as:

  • Time/Stress Management
  • Exam Prep and Study Skills
  • Financial Literacy (money management, budgeting, financial aid/scholarships). CashCourse provides free financial education resources for colleges. To access the PTC CashCourse page, go to http://www.cashcourse.org.
  • Career Readiness (resumes, networking, interviewing)
  • Transfer Information
Other Services
  • Cultural/educational activities and trips
  • Leadership training and development opportunities
  • Access to check out laptops and graphing calculators (if available)
Eligibility

You may qualify for TRiO SSS if you are a US citizen or permanent resident. To be eligible, students must have a financial need, but our office does not provide immediate or ongoing financial awards. Additionally, you must be working toward a certificate, diploma, or an associate degree and demonstrate a need for academic support. Students who have already earned an associate degree or higher degree are not eligible. You need to meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

Be a First Generation College Student: Neither of your parents or guardians received a bachelor's degree before you were 18 years of age. Qualify as Low Income per federal guidelines. Verification of taxable income is necessary by submitting a copy of the previous tax year's 1040/1040A/1040EZ forms or by signing a release for the financial aid office. Have a documented Disability. To document your disability with the college, please contact Alexis Banks, disability coordinator, to obtain the guidelines for receiving accommodations.

 

Determining Eligibility

Apply online to see if you are eligible. Your application is incomplete until you submit income verification to the office of Student Support Services in the Student Success Center (101A).

Federal TRiO Programs Current Year Low-Income Levels
 

(Effective January 11, 2024 until further notice)

Size of Family Unit

48 Contiguous States,
DC and Outlying Jurisdictions

Alaska

Hawaii

1

$22,590

$28,215

$25,965

2

$30,660

$38,310

$35,250

3

$38,730

$48,405

$44,535

4

$46,800

$58,500

$53,820

5

$54,870

$68,595

$63,105

6

$62,940

$78,690

$72,390

7

$71,010

$88,785

$81,675

8

$79,080

$98,880

$90,960


**For family units with more than eight members, add the following amount for each additional family member: $8,070 for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia and outlying jurisdictions; $10,095 for Alaska; and $9,285 for Hawaii.

**The term "low-income individual" means an individual whose family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount.

**The figures shown under the family income represent amounts equal to 150 percent of the family income levels established by the Census Bureau for determining poverty status. The poverty guidelines are in effect as of January 11, 2024. Federal Register notice was published January 17, 2024.

Apply to the SSS Program

All services offered to Student Support Services participants are free.