Benefits
Peer Tutoring
The TRIO Programs offers weekly tutoring sessions in prerequisite and gateway courses in math and science where students self-identify a need for one-to-one assistance or where a formation of a small study group is necessary. Peer tutoring is a free service to all participating PRIME STEM and Project BEST scholars. Scholars seeking tutoring must be enrolled at UCF in the course in which tutoring is requested.
Appointments may be scheduled online or in person (Howard Phillips Hall, Suite 208) for a face-to-face or virtual meeting with an Peer Tutor.
The TRIO Programs refers students to other on-campus tutoring labs: the Student Academic Resource Center (SARC), the Math Lab, the Veterans Academic Resource Center (VARC), the Engineering Tutoring Lab, and the Writing Center.
Academic Coaching
The TRIO Programs offers Academic Coaching sessions. Academic Coaches are graduate students who facilitate a series of life management and academic success workshops each semester. Topics include tools for success such as: applying to graduate and professional school, federal financial aid, paying for graduate school, transitional skills, leadership development, diversity, time management, power studying, critical thinking, test taking, goal setting by attending these workshops, scholars will receive strategies and techniques to improve academic and personal development. Academic Coaches also provide individual sessions.
Appointments may be scheduled online or in person (Howard Phillips Hall, Suite 208) for a face-to-face or virtual meeting with an Academic Coach.the Math Lab, the Veterans Academic Resource Center (VARC), the Engineering Tutoring Lab, and the Writing Center.
Graduate School Services
Project BEST and PRIME STEM scholars receive assistance in applying for admissions to graduate school or professional school including access to practice exam study guides, assistance with writing personal essays, visitations to graduate and professional schools, as well as information on how to finance graduate school and obtain Federal Student Aid. The TRIO Programs works in collaboration with the Multicultural Academic Support Services (MASS) office, Office of Pre-Health Pre-Law Advising, and the Academic Advancement Programs. These services foster an awareness of continuing one’s education beyond the Baccalaureate degree.
Scholars seeking employment will participate in seminars designed to enhance their career readiness. These seminars will include interviewing skills, resume writing, and portfolio development, dress for success workshops and an etiquette luncheon. Veterans Academic Resource Center (VARC), the Engineering Tutoring Lab, and the Writing Center.
Advice & Assistance
Academic Program and Support Coordinators meet with SSS scholars at least once per semester to review each student’s transcripts, degree audit, & program requirements, provide supplemental advising for post-secondary course selection for future terms, and discuss their progress towards degree completion.
PRIME STEM and Project BEST scholars receive the priority registration benefit after acceptance to the program.
Appointments may be scheduled online or in person (Howard Phillips Hall, Suite 208) for a face-to-face or virtual meeting with an Academic Coach.
Financial Literacy
PRIME STEM and Project BEST scholars must complete a financial literacy and a financial aid workshop each year. The TRIO Programs has created financial and economic literacy modules that are available online (via Canvas). Additional workshops are offered in collaboration with the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, and the UCF Office of Student Financial Assistance. Topics covered include the following: FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid), how to budget, managing your credit management, financial planning, setting financial goals, and loans debt management. Workshops are available in both face-to-face and online formats.
For more information on scholarships, please visit Access to Opportunity (A2O) Common Scholarship Resource as they have an array of scholarships college students can access and apply for. If you want to enhance your financial knowledge to make sound financial decisions, please check out Cent$ible Knight$ | Financial/Economic Literacy Program
Upward Bound Academic Tutoring
Scholars have free access to online academic support through Tutor.com as well as in-person tutoring at Apopka HS on Monday, Tuesday and Friday and Wednesdays at Edgewater High School. To learn more, or to sign up, contact Hiroko Vargas at Hiroko.Vargas@ucf.edu or Courtney Hart-Windhom at Courtney.Hart-Windom@ucf.edu.
Upward Bound Test Prep
Scholars receive customized ACT/SAT test preparation bi-weekly at Edgewater and Apopka High School. Test Prep is provided by the Upward Bound Data Coordinator both in-person and online.
Upward Bound Financial/Economic Literacy
Scholars have access to campus and community resources for Financial/Economic Literacy such as UCF Financial Aid and 8 Cents in a Jar.
Upward Bound Advice & Assistance with Course Selection
Academic Support Coordinators meet with Upward Bound scholars once each semester to review each student’s progress toward a college preparatory curriculum through a transcript review.
Upward Bound Summer Residential Program
Scholars have the opportunity to attend a six-week Summer Academy during June and July each year. This generally culminates with an on-campus, residential experience at the University of Central Florida.