Student Support Services

Student Support Services (SSS) is one of three education centered “War on Poverty” legislations proposed under the President Lyndon B. Johnson Administration and ratified into law by the U.S. Congress between 1964 and 1968, in response to a national poverty rate that hovered around 19 percent.

Two pre-college programs, Upward Bound (1964) and Educational Talent Search (1965), and the college-based Student Support Services (formally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students) program eventually became known as TRIO programs. These are the first college access and retention programs implemented nationwide to combat social and cultural barriers that impede disadvantaged students from gaining access to and graduating from American colleges and universities. By 1998, an additional eight programs were founded to serve students, displaced workers, and veterans.

The Student Support Services program at Savannah State University was established in 1992. Grant funded through the U.S. Department of Education, SSS annually serves 182 low-income, first-generation, and disabled college students. Under the current five-year grant funding cycle (2020-2025), SSS expects to apply $1,740,010 towards facilitating the college success of program participants. The services listed are designed to promote retention, matriculation, graduation, and graduate and professional program enrollment.

Mission

Student Support Services provides academic support and retention services that help students successfully matriculate and graduate with a baccalaureate degree. These services prepare students to excel within our global community and marketplace.

Vision

Student Support Services at Savannah State University will be an exemplary TRIO program. The guiding principle for SSS is Service Excellence, which will be accomplished by being accountable, engaging, friendly, professional, resourceful, responsive, and safe.

• Academic tutoring
• Advice and assistance in post secondary course selection
• Information on federal financial aid programs and benefits and public and private scholarships
• Assistance with completing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• Financial and economic literacy education
• Activities surrounding graduate and professional school admission and funding
• Counseling on personal, career, and academic matters
• Cultural competence enrichment activities
• Mentoring
• Supplemental Grant Aid Award