With student debt on the rise, Southeast Community College is doing what it can to help its students graduate with less debt and stretch their dollars.
TRIO/Student Support Services, a federally-funded program that helps students to overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education, is giving an increasing emphasis to financial literacy.
The TRIO/SSS staff have found in their work with students that there is a great need for college students to become more aware of their spending habits, financial aid, taxes, and other relevant personal finance-related issues, and this was one way TRIO and SCC helped improve students’ understanding.
Recently, SCC participated in Money Smart Week, a national financial education effort. Many departments and organizations from all three campuses planned activities to help SCC students become more “money smart.”
On the Beatrice Campus, one-hour workshops were held Monday through Thursday covering financial aid, the importance of a checking and savings account, the how to’s of investing and car, house and life insurance.
The Lincoln Campus held many activities and workshops on topics including taxes, budgeting for food and credit counseling. There was also a jeopardy game over financial aid topics where the winners were given scholarships and a “Do You Think Like a Millionaire” quiz bowl.
Students on the Milford Campus participated in Money Week through a Money Facts Scavenger Hunt, a Trivia Game, Financial Football and a student survey.
These events were considered a big success, with over 340 students participating.
While TRIO’s recent focus is financial literacy, TRIO does so much more.
TRIO will also help students to develop study skills, stress management leadership, time management recognition and developing strengths and a resume.
But TRIO isn’t limited by just these services. “I always tell people that we help with anything and everything that might come in the way of a student doing their best,” said Jodi Gabel, TRIO Counselor/Advisor–Milford Campus.
Students interested in joining TRIO/SSS must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1. Be a first-generation student (neither parent is a four-year college graduate)
2. Be within the Federal TRIO Program low-income guidelines
3. Be a qualified individual with a documented disability
If you meet at least one of the criteria contact your campus’s TRIO office to sign up.
Once you are a TRIO/SSS student, you will be assigned an academic counselor to help you succeed in college. Then you will be able to take full advantage of the following:
* You and your counselor will jointly develop an Individual Success Plan.
* Access to intensive academic advising, personal counseling, mentoring, laptop computers, the textbook lending programs and assistance with transferring to four-year colleges.
* Personal assistance in applying for and managing financial aid, as well as TRIO/SSS grant aid to those that qualify.
* Opportunity to participate in guided career exploration and job shadowing.
* Opportunity to take part in special off-campus cultural activities, leadership and campus visits with other TRIO/SSS students.