TRiO Support Services

Sometimes it takes a little help to turn a "B" into an "A" or a "D" into a "C". The Student Support Services (SSS) program can help you make the grade through study skills improvement, TRiO Computer Lab, "Early Alert" progress reports, individual tutoring and semester-by-semester course and degree planning. 

Do you have questions or concerns about where and how to transfer to a four-year school? Transfer campus visits and planning with the SSS Academic/Transfer Advisor will help.

Do you want to meet new people? Our volunteer opportunities provide diverse experiences that help our communities and build lasting friendships. 

Student Support Services is a federal TRIO program funded by a grant through the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of the program is to provide support services that increase the retention, graduation, and transfer rates of first-generation college students, low-income students, or students with a disability.

You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You must also meet one of the following guidelines:

• a first generation college student
• a college student defined by federal guidelines as low-income
• a college student with a disability

Approximately 75% of students who attend Lake Michigan College are eligible. Start the process by completing the Student Support Services Application.

First-generation means that neither of your parents has a four-year college degree.

Low-income is based on guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Education. After you apply to the SSS program, your income will be reviewed. You and your parents (if you are a dependent student) will be asked to sign an income verification statement or you may be asked to provide other income documentation like your most recent Federal Tax Return.

Yes, as long as it is properly documented. We've had past SSS participants with many different physical or learning disabilities including ADD, ADHD, paralysis, head injury trauma resulting in short term memory loss, students with visual or hearing loss, and participants with impaired mobility.

As a qualifying student, SSS can provide an array of support services that will help you reach your academic goals and adjust to college life.

SSS provides a supportive environment, not only for those students who need academic help, but for those who need other forms of assistance like transferring to a four-year school.

Located in B-203 on the Benton Harbor Campus, this computer lab is run by the Lake Michigan College TRiO Programs.

The lab is open all year Monday - Wednesday from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Thursday - Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Students use the lab for working on papers, Internet research, small group study sessions, accessing WaveLink, and keeping up with what's happening around campus. Computers, projection equipment, and specialized software programs are readily accessible. The office of the SSS Educational Specialists and our Academic/Transfer Advisor are located in TRiO Computer Lab.

Laptop computers, TI-84 calculators, and digital recorders may be borrowed by program participants. Contact the SSS Office.

Transfer campus visits are an opportunity to tour four-year schools, meet with admissions staff and see which transfer campus environment fits you best.

Visits to four-year colleges and universities include schools in Michigan and northern Indiana.  

Volunteering assists participants in giving back to our communities through team participation in opportunities like the United Way Day of Caring, Relay of Life, packing food boxes for senior citizens and filling backpacks with new school supplies for K-12 students.

Check the SSS calendar or SSS newsletter for all volunteer experiences.

No. SSS does not lend money. We will provide assistance in completing your FAFSA financial aid form and help you work closely with the Lake Michigan College Financial Aid Office. We also award a limited number of SSS participant Academic Incentive Scholarships made possible by the LMC Foundation, and we will help you complete community, state or transfer scholarship applications.

Federal TRiO Programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students. TRIO includes seven outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income, first-generation college, and students with a disability to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. Over 1,200 colleges, universities, community colleges and agencies now offer TRIO Programs. As most programs serve fewer than 250 students, TRIO staff have an opportunity to work one-on-one with students and are personally committed to their success. Lake Michigan College has three TRiO programs, the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), Upward Bound, and Student Support Services.

You can download an application for the SSS program or pick up an application at the Student Support Services Office, the TRiO Computer Lab, the Richard J. Pappas Student Services Center on the Benton Harbor Campus, or at any of the other LMC campuses. You may contact SSS at (269) 927-8603 to receive an application by mail or email.

Don't worry. If you are not eligible and you need academic assistance, there are tutors available through the LMC Learning Assistance Center. The SSS staff will help you sign up for tutoring, and also inform you of other campus resources.