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Student Support Services

About Student Support Services

The goal of Student Support Services (SSS) is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and help students make the transition from one level of higher education to the next. The SSS grant provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. There are more than 1,000 SSS programs across the United States and Puerto Rico.

Program Objectives

The U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) has established three objectives for Student Support Services programs nationwide. These objectives are measured annually and are reported on the Annual Performance Report (APR) to the U.S. Department of Education. Programs earn prior experience (PE) points during years two, three, and four of the grant cycle. Years one and five bookend the cycle.

UCF TRIO Programs – Student Support Services

UCF received the first of its two SSS grants in 2010. Through funding from this grant, the PRIME STEM Project was conceptualized and implemented at UCF. PRIME STEM supports students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), as well as Health Sciences majors. The institution was later funded for a second SSS grant, Project BEST, that serves students across all majors at UCF.

Combined, the two programs provide services to 268 qualified students (124 PRIME STEM, 144 Project BEST) who meet program eligibility requirements (i.e., income-eligible, first generation and those who may also be disabled). All scholars have an opportunity to receive advice and assistance with course selection (supplemental advising), academic tutoring, information about and assistance with applying for federal financial aid, assistance with applying for graduate/professional school, education and training for economic/financial literacy, mentoring, and cultural events.

Services Provided
Academic (Peer) Tutoring
Academic Coaching
Advice and Assistance with Course Selection (Supplemental Advising)
Financial/Economic Literacy
Graduate/Professional School Services
Peer Mentoring
Benefits to Students
Career Exploration
Professional Development & Informational Workshops
Free Computer Access & Printing
Access to Free Study Materials (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, DAT, etc.)
Program Graduation Cord
Community of Scholars on Campus

FAQs

Student Support Services (SSS)

Both are federal TRIO programs designed to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and to assist students with making the transition from one level of higher education to the next.

  • PRIME STEM is tailored to meet the needs of 124 students who are pursuing and will be graduating in 6 specific STEM majors: Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Information Technology.
  • Project BEST is tailored to meet the needs of 144 students who are pursuing a degree in all other UCF majors.

PRIME STEM:

  • One-on-One and Group Support Services
  • Academic Tutoring
  • Priority Registration
  • Financial/Economic Literacy
  • Access to Entrance Exam prep materials for professional/graduate school (i.e. MCAT, GRE, DAT, PCAT, OAT)
  • Career Exploration
  • Professional and Cultural events
  • Opportunities for leadership development
  • Life Skills workshops
  • Community of STEM scholars on campus
  • Study Zone and FREE printing

Project BEST:

  • One-on-one tutoring
  • Peer & faculty/staff mentoring
  • Access to computers and printers
  • Free access to study guides for professional/graduate school entry exams (i.e. GRE, MCAT, OAT, DAT)
  • Professional and cultural events
  • Opportunities for leadership development
  • Life management workshops
  • Community of scholars on campus

It is supplemental advising. It does not replace advising provided by one of the official advising offices.

  • Enrolled UCF students who display an academic need and are a first-generation college student, low-income, and/or have a documented disability.
  • Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The term “first generation college student” means:

  • An individual both of whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree

Or

  • In the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, an individual whose only such parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree.

The term “low-income individual” means an individual from a family whose taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of an amount equal to the poverty level determined by using the criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census.

  • First generation status is self-reported
  • Low-income is verified by your tax return, income verification form, and/or income verification by a third party (social security, TANF, SNAP).
  • Disability is verified through the UCF Office of Student Accessibility Services
  • Complete an application for your program of interest
  • PRIME STEM is for 6 specific STEM-majors only: Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Information Technology.
  • Project BEST is for all other UCF majors.