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College can be overwhelming when you are the first one in your family to attend, or when you have limited finances or a disability. TRiO Student Support Services, a federally-funded program, steps in to help students succeed.

TRiO Students gathered around a banner

TRiO Services

TRiO offers free services to help participants succeed in college and graduate on a timely basis. These services include:

  • tutoring
  • academic advising
  • career development assistance
  • personal, academic and career advising
  • equipment access
  • college success workshops and discussions

Am I Eligible for TRIO?

Eligible students include first-generation college students (neither parent earned a four-year degree and you haven’t received a two-year or four-year degree) and income-eligible students (as determined by federal guidelines), as well as students with a documented disability. Students should be working on an associate degree to transfer to a four-year degree program.

To participate in TRIO a student must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident
  • Be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled at Black Hawk College in a college-level program
  • Demonstrate high motivation to successfully complete your coursework

AND meet one of the following:

  • A first-generation college student (neither one of your parents has received a four-year degree and you haven’t received a two-year or four-year degree)
  • Low-income, according to federal guidelines
  • Have a documented disability

How to Join TRIO

Contact TRIO staff to learn more about our services. Then complete the online application.

After completing the application, an informal intake interview will be scheduled with a TRIO academic advisor. Here you will learn more about our program, and you are encouraged to share background, goals, current academic concerns and expectations.

Shortly after, you will be informed if you’ve been selected as a program participant based on the program’s eligibility criteria, your academic needs and space available in the program.

After being accepted, you will have a personalized academic plan developed in consultation with your advisor. This will be based upon needs identified through needs assessment instruments and/or through needs expressed by you to your advisor. In consultation with your advisor, you will set some academic and personal goals for the semester and will create a plan outlining recommended classes to earn your degree.

“The TRiO program has helped ensure my success for the last two years at Black Hawk College. They have helped me with scheduling, ensuring I am on track to complete my degree in time, and by giving great advice for my future. Take advantage if you qualify!”

Isaac Raymond

TRIO Services

Student Success Services Grant Aid

TRIO is proud to provide a grant to eligible students at the end of each academic year. Eligibility for TRIO grant aid is based on involvement, Pell Grant eligibility, financial need and class standing.

Workshops

A series of 50-minute workshops aims to help students improve their academic, personal and social skills. Workshops are offered in a variety of settings, small group, one-on-one and online to provide flexibility for our students. Workshop schedules are issued at the beginning of each semester. Topics include managing your time efficiently, getting along with instructors, financing your education, planning your four-year degree and more.

Academic Advising

TRIO academic advisor are able to provide assistance with creating current, and planning future, course schedules. Progress reports are also sent out on behalf of each TRIO student for faculty members to record student’s attendance, academic performance and current grade in the course. Instructors also are encouraged to make additional comments for success. Students with less than a “C” in any course are advised to meet with their advisor to discuss a plan for improvement.

Establishing Goals

An individualized academic plan is developed with each new TRIO student. Crafted between our students and TRIO academic advisor, this plan identifies specific academic goals and support needs while spelling out strategies for successfully achieving goals.

Tutors

Students in TRIO are eligible for individual tutoring. Students can work with one tutor in a subject area throughout the entire semester, meeting the tutor at regularly scheduled times on a weekly basis. Walk-in tutoring is also available for TRIO students in the tutoring labs in the Student Success & Tutoring Center.

Financial Literacy

TRIO academic advisors are equipped to assist students with submitting their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Academic advisors can also help students find applicable scholarships, both on-campus and off-campus. TRIO also partners with R.I.A. Federal Credit Union to bring exciting, hands-on information regarding budgets, credit and more!

Cultural and Social Activities

TRiO strives to build a learning community where our students from diverse backgrounds have opportunities to enjoy the diversity of the Black Hawk College community. We provide free social and cultural activities throughout the year for students to meet their TRiO peers, faculty and staff. TRiO partners with other campus organizations for exciting opportunities and field-trips.

Transfer Planning

TRIO students have the benefit of working with academic advisors to create individualized transfer plans. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisors to find potential transfer schools and explore major options. TRIO also arranges free transfer school visits for an immersed experience.

Support for Students with Disabilities

Academic advisors work closely with our students with disabilities to facilitate their learning experience. We work collaboratively with the Black Hawk College Disability Services Office supporting students with disabilities through helping students better understand accommodations, ensure class selections are tailored to specific needs, access to technology to support academic goals, and support in how to talk with professors about needs and accommodations.

Career Exploration

TRIO academic advisors also provide ongoing major and career guidance and recommendations for transfer, graduation and employment. TRIO students are able to partake in career assessments and have access to career planning tools.

Textbook Access

TRIO has a large selection of current textbooks on reserve in the BHC Library for TRIO students’ use only. Textbooks may be checked out in the library for two hours. Students also have the opportunity to scan chapters from the text to place on a flash drive for later use.

Contact

TRIO Student Support Services

Quad-Cities Campus
Building 1, under the library
309-796-5138
triosss@bhc.edu

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