Student Support Services
Enrolling in and attending college presents many new opportunities for growth and development. Student Support Services (SSS) is a program designed to help students who are income eligible, first generation and/or have a documented disability successfully navigate this new adventure. We serve students who have the potential and desire to achieve the goal of a college degree or certificate while meeting program eligibility requirements. The program serves as your personal guide through the educational process at RCC to success.
RCC receives funding for SSS from the U.S. Department of Education through TRiO, a series of federal higher education support grant programs. Participant eligibility criteria are dictated by the federal grant. Learn the steps to take part in the SSS program.
Support services are available free of charge and include:
- Counseling is available for you to discuss your college experiences, personal life, and career choices
- Advising allows for the exploration of your 4-year college transfer needs, selection of your RCC classes, and tracking your coursework towards graduation
- Tutoring is offered for many RCC classes by appointment in both one to one and group formats. Tutoring is also offered on-line through the Brainfuse program in Canvas
- College Success Workshops are scheduled throughout the semester to engage you in learning effective study habits, time management skills, transfer information, and general college transition strategies
- Cultural Events expose you to historical sites, plays, music, art, museums, 4-year college tours, and sports events in order to broaden your experiences and opportunities
- Financial Aid and Scholarship Assistance affords you the opportunity to stay current on the necessary steps to complete the Federal FAFSA form and provides information on available scholarships for RCC students. The SSS program also distributes a limited number of student grant awards to eligible participants.
- Financial Literacy Workshops for SSS participants are facilitated by local financial experts. Topics include help with financing a college education, understanding how to use credit, how to create and maintain a budget, and how to keep your bank account balanced
- Assistance for Students with Disabilities encourages students to be self-advocates and works in collaboration with the disability services arranged through the Office of Student Development. RCC provides appropriate academic accommodations as provided by Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Eligibility
Eligibility to participate in the SSS program is based upon the following criteria (as created by program federal guidelines):
- Enrolled or accepted for enrollment at RCC
- Citizen or national of the U.S. or student meeting residency requirements for federal student financial aid
- And meets at least one of the following criteria:
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- Low-income – Family taxable income should meet appropriate federal guidelines, as assessed by program staff. Students who receive a Pell Grant and/or public aid usually meet this guideline.
- First generation college student — Neither of your parents earned a four-year college degree.
- A student with a disability – Documentation of physical, mental or emotional disability within the last three years.
All RCC SSS students must demonstrate the academic potential for graduating from RCC or transferring to a four-year college.
Participate
Here are the steps to get involved:
- Schedule to meet with the SSS counselor on your campus (Glenns Campus office – Room 106 or Warsaw Campus office – Room 105) and let the counselor determine your eligibility to participate in the program based upon the required criteria.
- Complete and submit the application provided by the counselor.
- Set goals, participate, and commit to success through the SSS program.
In addition to your completed application, please bring the following documentation to your first meeting with the SSS counselor:
- Current Financial Aid Award (Pell Grant) letter or
- Copy of most recently signed and filed 1040 tax form(s) — and, if applicable
- Written documentation of disability
TRiO Programs
Federal TRiO Programs are educational outreach programs designed to motivate and support students that have been historically underrepresented on college campuses. TRiO includes six outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. The overarching goal of all TRiO programs is to help students overcome cultural, social, and economic barriers to higher education.
Interested in applying for the TRiO program? Contact us at 804-758-6747 on the Glenns campus or 804-333-6736 on the Warsaw campus for more information.
More Information
Click on any of the links below for more information on the course/subject matter:
Academic Tutorial Websites
Disability Support Services Websites
- Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology (DO-IT). This website promotes the use of technology to maximize the independence, productivity, and participation of people with disabilities.
- Disability Access Information and Support (DAIS). An important resource to the higher education community, providing a menu of services for those concerned with disability and access in higher education.
- Americans with Disabilities Act Homepage. Information on enforcement, technical assistance, and mediation.
- The Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD). This association is an organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. The Association is a vital resource, promoting excellence through education, communication and training.
SSS Team
Lorraine Justice
Warsaw
ljustice@rappahannock.edu
804-333-6737
Christina Tidwell
ctidwell@rappahannock.edu
804-758-6747
Karen Lewis
Glenns
klewis@rappahannock.edu
804-758-6736
Joseph Coleman
Warsaw
jcoleman@rappahannock.edu
804-333-6736
SSS Events
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RCC students tour VCU campus
/0 Comments/in press-release, SSS /by Eric PesolaA group of RCC students travelled to VCU on Nov. 4 to help them decide if the university would be the right choice for completing their bachelor’s degree.
Outstanding students join RCC’s ‘A’ Club
/0 Comments/in press-release, SSS /by Eric PesolaRCC students were honored as “A” Club members during a celebratory luncheon sponsored by the college’s Student Support Services Office on September 23.
RCC students visit nation’s capital
/0 Comments/in press-release, SSS /by Eric PesolaOn August 23, Rappahannock Community College’s Student Support Services (SSS) and Student Development Offices jointly sponsored a field trip to Washington, D.C., where the group of students and SSS staff took a self-guided tour of the White House, and visited several of the museums and galleries that make up the Smithsonian Institute. “The entire trip […]