TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) programs are federally funded programs that are dedicated to providing academic support to first-generation college students, low-income students, and students with disabilities.
You will take three tuition-free College Success and Career Guidance (CG) courses that are transferrable elective credits (7 credits total).
All of these are required for TRIO students unless you have already taken them! We rotate between remote, in-person, and online options. In-person classes are at Cascade Campus in North Portland.
You will be added to an email list so that information can be shared with you about events and opportunities offered by PCC Resource Centers, Student Life, PCC Opportunity Centers, organizations like the Oregon TRIO Association, etc.
TRIO programs in Oregon were recently approved to begin serving students who are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents! This new system is in place through the 2026-27 school year. Students who are accepted into TRIO SSS between Fall 2024 and Summer 2027 will be able to receive (4) cohort years of service from the program regardless of their citizenship status – as long as they are meeting the other guidelines for eligibility and remaining in good standing with the program.
You are still working on completing at least one of any of the following courses, or placed into at least one of them within one year before applying for TRIO SSS:
Reading 90 or 115
Writing 90 or 115
Math 20, 58, 60, 65, 70, 95, 98, 105 or 111
ESOL Level 7 or Level 8 courses
Contact us before applying if you are taking ESOL courses below Level 7/8
Students are welcome to apply when they are expecting to be in Financial Aid Good Standing with a GPA of at least 2.0 by the beginning of the next term.
If you aren’t sure of your status, please connect with someone in Advising and/or Financial Aid. You can also see information about this in your MyPCC account, on the Paying for College tab.
TRIO SSS is part of a family of College Success Programs at PCC! Students who are part of CALI, CAMP, or Future Connect are not able to be in those programs at the same time as TRIO, but it may be possible for you to participate in one of those programs and then move to TRIO later. You are welcome to get in touch with us or your current coach/advisor if you have questions about this!
I want to apply!
Apply online! Please read all of the introduction page before you start the application. You can start the application to check if you’re eligible to apply!
April 14 – May 16, 2025 – students could be admitted to TRIO SSS at the end of Spring term, if you’re taking Summer classes, or start with TRIO in Fall, if not taking classes in the Summer.
June 23 – September 5, 2025 (app closing date might change) – application period for starting with TRIO SSS in Fall 2025.
If you have questions, please reach out to our Program Assistant: Contact Liz Bernunzio.
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