TRIO Student Support Services
Published or Revised July 22, 2024
Student Support Services (TRIO SSS) is a federally funded U.S. Department of Education program dedicated to increasing retention and graduation rates for low-income students, first-generation students, and/or students with documented disabilities, who are attending Paris Junior College.
Participating in TRIO SSS gives you access to extra support and assistance during your educational journey. Student Support Services offers a variety of free services to ensure that students at PJC are successful in their academic careers. TRIO SSS services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Academic Coaching/Advising
- Advising
- Course Selection
- Grade Checks
- Graduation Plans
Academic Success Workshops
- Skill-Building Workshops
- Self-Discovery Workshops
- Career & 4-Year Transfer School Exploration
- Application Assistance
- Assistance Selecting Major
- Career/Personality Assessment
- College Tours
- Interviewing Skills
- Resume Writing
- Community Service Opportunities
- Computer Lab with Free Printing
- Cultural Enrichment Activities
- Etiquette Dinner
- Museum Visits
- National First Generation Day
- National TRIO Day
- Theater Events
- End of Year Celebration/Outing
- Financial Literacy Education
- Assistance Finding & Applying for Scholarships
- Budgeting Assistance
- FAFSA Assistance
- Tutoring
Who is eligible to receive TRIO SSS FREE services?
Students who apply to become part of the TRIO SSS program must be:
- Enrolled or accepted for the next term at Paris Junior College, whether face-to-face (Paris campus only) or online learners.
- A U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident as defined below:
- U.S. Citizen
- U.S. National (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain's Island)
- Permanent Resident (U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C)
- Eligible Non-Citizen (Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service)
- Not eligible are holders of student visas (F1, F2, J1, and J-2 Visas)
Additionally, each applicant must meet one or more of the three primary eligibility criteria:
1. First-Generation Student:
- Neither your natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate four year degree
- Prior to the age of 18, you regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate four-year degree
- Prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent
- Foster care youth means youth who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system.
- Homeless children and youth means persons defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 1143a).
2. Have a Documented Disability:
- If a student has a documented (physical or learning) disability, as defined by Section 504/ADA, he or she may be eligible for the SSS program.
3. Family Income Qualify as Low-Income:
- The official Low-Income guidelines are updated at the end of January annually. You can view the most recent chart at the Department of Education by clicking here.
- Find the size of your family in the chart, using your most recent tax return, to determine if your family's taxable income fell at or below the figure in the next column, (taxable income can be found on tax forms 1040EZ-line 6, 1040A-line 26, or 1040-line 43).
Student Responsibilities
Students who are selected to participate in TRIO Student Support Services commit to:
- Meet with their SSS staff member a minimum of two times per semester
- Participate in a minimum of two activities each semester with the SSS program
How to Apply
Interested students may apply online or by delivering a completed application to the Rheudasil Learning Center (library), Room 123.
Students may also apply for TRIO SSS services by contacting:
Email: triosss@parisjc.edu
Telephone: (903) 782-0353
Fax: (870) 782-0239
When can you apply?
Students may apply for TRIO SSS services at any time during the academic year. However, it is highly encouraged to apply within the first two weeks at the start of each new semester (Fall/Spring preferred) to fully benefit from participation in the program. Someone from our staff is always available to assist you and answer any questions regarding services.
TRIO Student Support Services Contact Information:
Paris Junior College
Rheudasil Learning Center
2400 Clarksville Street
Paris, Texas 75460
Phone: 903-782-0353
Fax: 903-782-0239
Email: triosss@parisjc.edu
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
TRIO SSS Staff Members
Sara Pierce
TRIO SSS Director
903-782-0352
Selynthia Martin
TRIO SSS Coordinator
903-782-0416
Karlee Alexander
TRIO SSS Educational Specialist
903-782-0354