TRIO Federal Grant Programs

TRIO programs are federally funded by the US Department of Education and designed to encourage enrollment in postsecondary or high school education programs. The various TRIO programs serve those who are first-generation-in-college (neither parent possessing a bachelor's degree or higher), low income (Federal TRIO programs taxable income guidelines -- http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/incomelevels.html), veterans, or individuals with documented disabilities residing in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.

TRIO Programs include

Educational Talent Search (ETS)

Designed to serve eligible students from disadvantaged backgrounds in grades 6-12 to increase high school completion rates and encourage enrollment in any accredited postsecondary institution in the country.

Services include but are not limited to: college tours, academic tutoring, career exploration, ACT/SAT test preparation, FAFSA submission, college application and admissions assistance, and student and family workshops.

Eligibility requirements include maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, first-generation-in-college (neither parent possessing a bachelor's degree or higher), meet income levels established by the grant, desire to pursue a postsecondary education, and attend a participating middle or high school in the Escambia or Santa Rosa County Public School Systems. Please contact ETS at (850) 484-1620 for additional details.

Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)

Designed to serve eligible individuals who want to enroll in college at any accredited postsecondary institution in the country, whether it is enrolling for the first time or returning to college if they have stopped out for at least one term (Fall or Spring); or transferring to a university.

Services include but are not limited to completing Admissions application, filing for financial aid (PELL Grant) or researching other financial aid options, and exploring educational and career options.

Eligibility requirements include first-generation-in-college (neither parent possessing a bachelor's degree or higher); meet income levels established by the grant; earned high school diploma or GED; and resident of Escambia or Santa Rosa counties. Please contact EOC at (850) 484-1961 for additional details.

Student Support Services (SSS)

Designed to increase retention, graduation, and transfer rates of eligible participant students at Pensacola State College.

Services include but are not limited to tutoring, academic advising, college visits, cultural events, financial literacy, and peer mentoring.

Eligibility requirements include first-generation-in-college (neither parent possessing a bachelor's degree or higher) or low income or students with documented disabilities, and must have an academic need (e.g., tested into one or more developmental education classes). Please contact SSS at (850) 484-2028 for additional details.

Veterans Student Support Services (VSSS)

Designed to increase the academic success and the overall experience for eligible military veteran students enrolled at Pensacola State College. Primary services include tutoring, academic advising, life skills counseling, college visits, cultural events, financial literacy, and peer mentoring. 

Eligibility requirements include veteran of US Armed Forces and first-generation-in-college or low income or a documented disability. Please contact VSSS at (850) 484-2047 for additional details.

Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)

Designed to motivate and assist eligible military veterans, National Guard and Reserve members of all ages in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a program of postsecondary education. 

Services include free assessment and enhancement of basic skills through academic instruction in the core subject areas, counseling, peer mentoring, tutoring, cultural events, and college visits.

Eligibility requirements include veteran of US Armed Forces, first-generation-in-college or low income. Please contact VUB at (850) 484-2068 for additional details.

Career and Technical Education Student Resources

The Career and Technical Education Student Resources office provides services to students enrolled in technical programs at the College including associate in science degrees, college credit certificates, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas.

Student Job Services and Cooperative Education

Student Job Services assists Pensacola State College students and alumni with their employment needs and offers Cooperative Education opportunities to qualifying students. Employers can use Pensacola State College Employer Job Board at https://pensacolastate-csm.symplicity.com/employers/ to post jobs and search for qualified applicants. Student job services reaches students and alumni either in person or virtually to provide services. 

Job Placement

Employment assistance is provided to all students and graduates. Full-time and part-time jobs are listed at www.pensacolastate.edu/sjs. Pensacola State College Student Job Services allows students and graduates to search for jobs and post resumes and allows employers to contact applicants. Student Job Services assists students in creating resumes, preparing for job interviews, and developing employability and work effectiveness skills. Interested students should contact Student Job Services, Building 6, Room 641 on the Pensacola campus or call (850) 484-1654 for more information. Students should update their online student profile each term. Students may also access Career Coach which is a free tool that helps find a rewarding career by providing data on job postings, employment forecast, wages and education and training. Career Coach provides information on local employment and students can also create a resume on this site. It is a great on line tool for High School and College students.

Cooperative Education

The Cooperative Education program is a planned, paid work experience in which a student is employed in a job directly related to his or her fields of study. The program offers both alternating and parallel work schedules. In the alternating schedule, the student works full-time one term and is enrolled in classes full-time the following term. In the parallel schedule, the student is enrolled in classes and works part-time each term.

The program offers academic or vocational credits for each term worked. The student must have completed 12 credit hours in the program and maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout the cooperative education experience. Each student must complete certain requirements before being sent on job interviews and must also complete specific objectives related to his or her program for each term of employment. These requirements will ensure that the student participates in real life occupational experiences, which will enhance the educational experience through individualized, on-the-job situations.

The cooperative education program unites the College, the student, and the employer to provide each student with a well-rounded education and offers experience for the job market. Any interested student should contact the Student Job Services, Building 6, Room 641 on the Pensacola campus or call (850) 484-1654 for more information.

Complete details on job placement and cooperative education services may be found at www.pensacolastate.edu/sjs.

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