Student Support Services Overview
The TCU Student Support Services Program assists undergraduate students enrolled at TCU. The TCU Student Support Services Program has been on campus for twelve years and has had a significant impact on retention rates of the target population. Each student receives an individualized educational plan that outlines a strategy for addressing academic and personal needs. Program staff update these plans at the end of each semester.
Purpose of Student Support Services
The Student Support Services Program seeks to increase the retention and graduation rates of eligible participants and to assist in fostering an institutional climate conducive to the success of first generation, lower income college students and students with disabilities.
Who Is Eligible to Participate in the Student Support Services Program?
According to the federal regulations, potential students must meet the following criteria mandated by the governing regulations for participation in the TCU Student Support Services Program. Students must:
Federal Requirements
Two-thirds of the students served by the TCU Student Support Services Program must be low-income individuals who are also first-generation college students or students with disabilities. The remaining students served are either low-income or first-generation students or students with disabilities. At least one-third of the individuals with disabilities must be low-income individuals. Each student served through the TCU Student Support Services Program must provide documentation to verify his or her eligibility status. This information may be (a) a signed statement from the parent or guardian of a dependent student regarding family income; (b) verification of family income from another government source; (c) a signed financial aid application; or (d) a signed income tax statement. If the student is applying as an independent student, his or her own personal records will verify eligibility status.
What Services Are Provided?
The federally funded TCU Student Support Services Program provides assistance and services, such as study skills, personal counseling, academic advice and assistance, tutoring, cultural events, academic workshops, career services, activities designed to foster enrollment in graduate programs, study lab, computer lab, and when requested mentoring involving faculty or upper classmen. The program may also offer these and other services to students with limited English proficiency. Additional services may be offered when requested by participants or when related to improving the persistence, retention, and graduation rates of program participants.
Cost of Program Participation
There is no cost to students who qualify. The program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Education and by TCU. Students who actively and fully participate and complete all program requirements will be eligible to apply for supplemental grant aid. The Director and Advisor/Counselor for the Student Support Services Program can provide prospective students with more details.
How do I apply for the Program?
To apply for admission to the TCU Student Support Services Program, students may come by the Student Support Services office located in the Rickel Academic Wing of the University Recreation Center, Suite 163. Once the completed application is turned in, Student Support Services staff will review the application and arrange for an interview. Each student who qualifies must attend the Student Support Services orientation.
* No student will be denied admission to, equitable access to, or participation in the TCU SSS Program based on gender, race, color, national origin, age, or disability.
For additional information on the TCU SSS Program, please contact the SSS office at (817) 257-5679 or (817) 257-5680.
Contact Margarita Garza m.garza@tcu.edu for more information on the application process and additional program information.