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TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

Summer 2023 Adventure Park

The Student Support Services (SSS) program is a federally funded TRIO program designed to promote the success and retention of non-traditional students with programs on the CT State Manchester and Norwalk campuses. TRIO programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing intensive academic, personal and career counseling to help program participants reach their goals

These campus-based programs provide services that increase the retention, graduation and transfer rates for non-traditional students, Once students are admitted, they remain participants in the program until they graduate and/or transfer to a four-year college or university, with program advisors assisting participants at every stage of undergraduate education–from deciding which courses to take in the first semester to preparing for graduation and transfer to a four-year college/university.

Learn more about each campus' program by choosing from the options above.

Manchester TRIO STARS Program

Program Eligibility

To qualify for the TRIO STARS Program, applicants must:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Meet one or more of the following criteria:
    • First-generation college student (neither parent has a bachelor’s degree)
    • Family income falls within the eligibility requirements
    • Have a documented disability with CT State Manchester
  • Have an academic need (as determined by the STARS Coordinator)

How to Apply

Contact Us

To meet with a TRIO/STARS Advisor, please schedule an appointment. Advisors are available for face-to-face meetings, virtual meetings (via Webex or Teams) or phone calls. When scheduling your appointment, please indicate your preferred meeting method.

Office Location
 L-231 (Student Services Center, 2nd Floor)

Hours
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mailing Address
STARS Program
Great Path, MS #8
P.O. Box 1046
Manchester, CT 06045-1046

Follow us on Instagram
@ctstatemcc_triostars

TRIO/STARS Staff

For any questions or to schedule an appointment, please contact us:  ma-ctstate-trio@ctstate.edu

Summer Program

In addition to year-round services, the TRIO SSS/STARS pre-college summer program is a seven-week session from mid-June to mid-August. This program is designed to prepare you for the academic rigor of the upcoming year. Before beginning the fall semester at Manchester, you will attend classes and workshops on campus, Monday through Thursday, approximately from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program offers you the opportunity to:

  • Practice and reinforce reading, writing, and math skills
  • Retake the English and math assessment tests to determine your placement in college-level courses
  • Earn up to six college credits, including:
    • ENG* 093: Introduction to College Reading and Writing
    • Math Lab (three credits)
    • Public Speaking
    • Films Studies
  • Receive one-on-one guidance from tutors, peers, and mentors
  • Develop time management and study skills
  • Learn how to balance school work and family commitments
  • Participate in cultural enrichment trips
  • Enjoy campus activities
  • Build comfort with your future
  • Boost self-confidence

Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for all classes and events throughout the entire seven-week summer session. Due to the high level of commitment required, it is strongly recommended that employment not exceed 15 hours per week. Cultural enrichment activities on Fridays may extend beyond the regularly scheduled hours, and a STARS Advisor will inform you of these trips beforehand.

Program Costs
The STARS Program covers all classes, books, and field trips. Additional information about the Summer Program will be available and distributed in the Spring.

Once you complete the summer program and continue studying at Manchester, you will enroll in a one-credit study skills course in the fall and participate in ongoing trips, tutoring, and enrichment workshops throughout the academic year. Program advisors will continue to provide support as you progress toward earning your degree.

Norwalk TRIO SSS Program

Program Benefits

The Student Support Services (TRIO) Program at CT State Norwalk prides itself on being a “One Stop Shop” for many of our students. Here are some of our services offered:

  • Virtual and In-Person 1 to 1 Tutoring (Math, Writing, Science)
  • Academic Advising/Supportive Counseling
  • Transfer Resources & Scholarship Information
  • FREE Selective Summer Course for College Credit (Speak with a TRiO Academic Advisor for more Information)

Need more convincing? Watch our Student Testminonials video.

Program Eligibility

  • Meet federal income requirements, and
  • Neither parent has a four-year college degree

    • – or –

  • Have a documented disability with CT State Norwalk
Apply Now

Contact Us

Office Location
West Campus, Room W209

Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

TRIO/STARS Staff

Services Offered

Academic Advising and Life Skills Development

TRIO Program staff understands what it is like to be a community college student. We are here to assist you with academic advising (selecting classes) and life skills development.

Together, we can:

Plan

Build an Academic plan:

  • Registration advising
  • Graduation mapping
  • Other tools as needed

Budget

Get a handle on finances by:

Balance

Find balance in life and academics with:

  • Time Management
  • Prioritizing
  • Organizational skills and tools

Develop

Learn study skills and habits, like:

  • Note-taking tips and techniques
  • Studying tips
  • Self-quizzing
Financial Aid Assistance

For many financial aid questions, we will refer you to the Financial Aid Office. However, we do offer TRIO students help with

  • Filling out the FAFSA Form
  • Finding scholarships and assisting with scholarship essays to receive them
  • General financial aid information
Selective Free Summer Credit Course

The TRIO program staff recognizes how difficult some courses can be. To make it easier, we mainly offer MAT136 for free during the summer session.  During this time, our students build a connection with their professor and each other, obtain extra help from one of our tutors and get ahead in their academics by satisfying a pre-requisite course.

Social Events and Programming

Participants of the TRiO Program will have an opportunity to get to know one another and to get to know the Support Staff during major events each semester.

Join us in the Fall for the Welcome Back Reception and again in Spring for the End of Year Celebration when we celebrate your achievements!

TRIO Club
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Tutoring

The TRiO program offers personal one-on-one tutoring in a variety of subjects to assist students where they really need it. Topics include mathematics, essay writing, personal transfer statements/essays, scholarship essays, Anatomy and Physiology I/II and Chemistry. If you are a TRIO Program student, please be sure to reach out to our Tutoring staff to make an appointment.

Tutoring Staff

Agnes Wilson
Subjects: Writing and English, Study Skills, Scholarship and Transfer Application Essays
Email: agnes.wilson@ctstate.edu 
Phone: 203-522-6682

Hala Dadoush
Subjects: Math 0988, 0989, 1010, 1100, 1200, 1600, Pre-Calc l, Calc l, Statistics 1200, Chemistry 1110, 1210 & 1220
Email: hala.dadoush@ctstate.edu 
Phone: 203-522-7634

Cheryl Horner
Subjects: Science Classes, Study Skills, Organization Skills
Email: cheryl.horner@ctstate.edu 

Transfer Academy

Here at TRIO, we want to assist you not only while you are at CT State Norwalk but also during your transition to a four-year college or university. For this reason, we have created the Transfer Academy.

Below, you will find steps to help you along your journey.

Step 1 – Choose your school. Consider these things:

Programs of Study
It is very important to pay attention to whether or not a school offers what you want to study.  Choose a program that aligns with your interests and go from there.

Cost
When reviewing your school choices, look at the cost of tuition. If you are planning to live on campus, make sure you factor in the cost of residency. Also, consider whether or not the school offers scholarships and, if so, in what amounts, and then finally, how much you will have to pay out of pocket.

The Size of the University/College
The size of the college and the number of students who attend can play a role in your success at the college.  More students usually mean larger class sizes.  Some people excel in larger classes and some do not.

Step 2 – Requirements for chosen schools, like:

Admissions
Admissions requirements vary by school as well, and sometimes by academic program.  Admissions requirements go beyond the coursework and GPA.  These may include personal statements, essay questions, and letters of recommendation.  Do not wait too long to apply to your program and make sure you give yourself enough time to collect the materials you need.

Deadlines
Pay attention to your deadlines!  Not all schools and academic programs have the same deadlines.  Some have multiple deadlines depending on what they are looking for.  Track them each individually and make sure you meet them.  Missing deadlines can cost you your dream school.

Prerequisite Coursework
If you are entering a specific program when you transfer, make sure the courses you take at NCC align with the major you want to pursue.  Along the way, there may be prerequisites for the courses in the school you are transferring to.  Make sure you complete them now before you go.

Step 3 - Apply!

Once you have chosen your top 3-5 schools, it is time to apply.  When you apply, you must do the following:

Fill out the Application(s) required for each school.
Many schools use the Common Application, which allows you to apply to multiple schools at once.  Most applications have a fee associated with them.  Visit the EOC Office to obtain a fee waiver for the application.

Send official transcripts to each school from CT State Community College

For E-Transcripts (if allowed)

  • Sign into my.ctstate.edu
  • Banner Self Service
  • Student Records
  • Request Transcripts
  • Request Official Transcript
  • Follow the steps in the form and indicate the schools to which you would like to send the transcripts.
 For Paper Transcripts

Pay the Confirmation Fee
The confirmation fee is different from your application fee and cannot be waived unless otherwise permitted by the four-year institution.  You are charged this fee as a way to tell the four-year school that you are committed to going to that university/college.

Meet with an Advisor at your chosen college
Your new advisor will explain the way your new institution works and provide curriculum information.  This person will also assist you in choosing classes for your first semester at the university/college and help you get registered.

Many of our students transfer to a four-year university/college after graduating from CT State Norwalk.  Some of the most popular colleges our students transfer to are:

For more information about transferring, contact us!

Nicole von Dohlen: nicole.vondohlen@ctstate.edu 
Shanoni James: shanoni.james@ctstate.edu