TRIO-Student Support Service (TRIO-SSS) strives to provide a range of academic support, career guidance, transfer planning, and professional development opportunities to qualifying community college students who are first-generation in college, have a financial need, and/or disability and demonstrate strong academic potential.
TRIO-SSS is designed to:
- Increase the retention and graduation rates of eligible students;
- Increase the transfer rates of eligible students from two-year to four-year institutions; and
- Foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of eligible participants.
This project is federally funded through a $285,102 annual grant from the U.S. Department of Education (2025-2030). For more information, please contact our office.
Achieving through PRIDE (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Excellence).
TRIO-SSS strives to provide a wide range of support to qualifying participants. To qualify, the student must meet at least one of the following criteria: be a first-generation student (parent or legal guardian does not have a baccalaureate degree), or be low-income as defined by the federal government, or have a documented disability, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Students accepted into the program will receive academic planning, career guidance, transfer assistance, financial literacy, professional development opportunities, guided individualized assessment and education planning, tutoring, mentoring, cultural and educational workshops, community service activities, and other academic support. For more information, visit the TRIO-SSS website or call 808-844-2366
Students who successfully complete the TRIO-SSS program will be able to:
- Set clear academic and career goals.
- Devise practical plans for achieving these goals.
- Apply acquired skills and strategies for college and career success.
- Reach significant academic milestones.
- Serve effectively as stewards and community leaders.
- Maintain ongoing personal and professional development.
- Inspire other TRIO-SSS students to succeed.
We believe:
- By providing our program participants early on with guided, individualized assessment, evaluation, and planning, they will be able to set clear, attainable goals as college students and future professionals in their fields.
- Peer and staff tutoring, mentoring, focused educational and cultural field trips, and other academic support opportunities will equip our students with the necessary tools, behaviors, and perspectives to stay on the path toward college success and graduation.
- Community service activities will develop well-rounded, socially-aware individuals experienced in team building, community stewardship, and leadership.
- By recognizing and celebrating the achievements of self and others, students will be encouraged toward continued growth and achievement, and inspire others that follow to do the same.
Program Information
Requirements
- A student is eligible to apply for the TRIO-SSS if the student meets all of the following requirements:
- Is a citizen or national of the United States or meets the residency requirements to apply for Free Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA).
- The residency requirement includes American Samoa, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Island students.
- Students who possess a Resident Alien Card.
- Honolulu Community College is their home campus, and they are working toward earning a Certificate or Associate’s degree and/or plan on transferring to a four-year college or university.
- Have not already earned an Associate’s degree or higher.
- Has a need for academic support.
- Meets one or more of the following criteria:
- First-generation college student (neither parent/guardian graduated from a 4-year college
- Low-income student (determined by the Federal Guidelines)
- A student with an appropriately documented disability
How to Apply
To see if you qualify for the TRIO-SSS program, please fill out the TRIO-SSS Program Application. Once we receive your application, you will meet with our professional staff to determine your eligibility, space availability, and our services.
Through faculty and staff referrals, the program recruits, interviews, and trains Peer Mentor/Coaches to provide effective, student-centered support to program participants.
The Peer Mentoring and Coaching Program offers consistent guidance, encouragement, accountability, and peer-based insight to support students’ academic, personal, and professional development. Peer Mentors/Coaches help students navigate the demands of college by sharing relevant experiences, discussing effective strategies, identifying campus resources, and encouraging productive habits that support academic progress and good standing.
This programming supports students who may be experiencing academic or personal challenges, as well as students who want to stay organized, motivated, and proactive in meeting their educational goals. Through regular check-ins and supportive coaching conversations, Peer Mentor/Coaches help students set goals, manage time, strengthen study habits, and build confidence in their ability to succeed.
A central goal of the program is to help students become independent, self-directed learners. Peer Mentor/Coaches do not provide answers, complete work, or replace faculty instruction. Instead, they empower students to take ownership of their education by helping them develop the skills, confidence, and responsibility needed to make informed decisions and follow through on their commitments. Peer Mentoring/Coaching also serves as a supportive partnership that encourages students to stay engaged, accountable, and focused on their long-term academic success.
These services are available during the Fall, Spring, Winter, and Summer Sessions during TRIO-SSS regular hours of operation:
Monday through Friday (8:00 AM – 4:30 PM)
Closed on Weekends and Institutional Holidays
Tutoring/Coaching Services
Program Participants will have access to priority tutoring from the College’s Tutoring Program. Visit Honolulu CC’s Tutoring Center for more information, location, and time of operation. Additionally, Tutor.com is a FREE service and is available to all community college students 24/7 through MyUH Services.
In addition to offering Peer Mentoring and Coaching, they will be able to provide participants with the following:
- Connect You To Campus Resources
- Assist with Early Class Registration
- Scholarship Assistance
- Computer Resources (including password retrieval, general tech help, online forms, organizing email, basic software: MS Words, Google Suite)
- Utilization of MyUH Services, STAR, Lamaku
- Study Skills, Note-Taking & Organization
- FAFSA Guidance
- Goal Setting
- Much More
As an TRIO-SSS/HonCC student, you are very fortunate to be part of a higher education institution promoting academic success. What makes it even more special is that Hawai‘i in itself is a very culturally diverse State with lots of history, culture and language. Because of our diverse environment, the TRIO-SSS offers educational and cultural opportunities to our eligible participants. All Cultural and Educational Events are FREE to all active eligible TRIO-SSS students. If you are interested in attending any one of these events, please come in and sign up. All events are on a first-come first-served basis.
Federal Student Aid
- Preparing for College
- Types of Federal Student Aid
- Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- Filling Out the FAFSA Form
- Manage Student Loans: Understanding Loan Repayment
Scholarships
- University of Hawaii – Scholarship Opportunities
- U.S. Department of Labor’s Scholarship Search
- Hawaii Community Foundation
- Kamehameha Schools Financial Aid & Scholarship Services
- Pauahi Foundation Scholarship Program
- Gates Millennium Scholars Program
- Alu Like – Hana Lima Scholarship Program
- College Board Scholarships
- Fastweb Scholarships
- Sallie Mae Scholarships
Other Financial Literacy Links
The TRIO-SSS program offers a FREE Student Success course, Interdisciplinary Studies 103 (IS103), to accepted participants,
The design of this course is to provide information and techniques to develop self-determination, self-efficacy, and self-advocacy. Students will be better equipped with the necessary skills to navigate their academic, career, and life journey. Students will become knowledgeable of the various academic and student support resources that will help them to matriculate through college successfully.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this course will be able to:
- Use the concepts of accepting personal responsibility and interdependent behaviors to achieve academic and personal goals.
- Use college resources and policies to determine and implement academic decisions.
- Incorporate awareness of diversity and cultural differences to participate fully in college and community.
- Identify their learning styles.
- Identify their unique personality strengths and challenges.
- Identify and create 2-3 general goals (goal setting)
- Demonstrate the ability to identify personal triggers that may hinder one’s desired outcome.
- Identify and utilize self-motivation techniques (positive mindset)
- Understand the importance of networking in class, campus community, and workplace.
- Learn and apply various study and life skills strategies.
- Learn and develop career readiness and career confidence.
- Learn and improve critical thinking skills.
Course Activities
Course activities include but are not limited to the following:
- Students will complete a Learning Styles Inventory.
- Students will complete career assessment inventories, resume and cover letters, and job placements.
- Students will identify their own behaviors, thinking patterns, attitudes, and feelings related to self-awareness and critical thinking.
- Students will learn the importance of goal-setting models and motivational strategies that assist in the creation of short and long-term goals.
- Students will learn various strategies: communication, mindset, self-advocacy, financial literacy, communication, etc…
- Students will participate in various team activities and develop networking skills.
TRiO-SSS Related
To ensure student success, we are happy to provide our students with as many resources as needed to meet their academic, personal, career, and overall goals. Our inventory of resources is exclusive to our eligible participants.
Learning Style Inventory
The design of this Online Guide is to help you become a more successful student. It includes a Learning Style Survey to help you identify your learning style. It also provides learning strategies that will help you study in a productive manner that matches your unique learning style.
Resources Lending Library
Our library includes resources related to self-help skills (mentoring, building self-confidence), careers related to different majors, resume writing, interview, cover letter guides, employment search, essay writing, headphones, voice recorder, and calculators. To view or borrow our resources, stop by our office, and we will be more than happy to assist you.
How Do I Know I’m Eligible?
Honolulu Community College (HonCC) must be your home campus and be working towards earning a certificate or degree. Applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment at HonCC; be a U.S. citizen or National of the United States or meet the requirements for federal student financial assistance; demonstrate academic need; have at least ONE of the following apply to you:
- You are a first-generation college student (neither parent nor guardian has a bachelor’s degree).
- You are “low-income” according to federal guidelines).
- You have a documented disability.
You Are Not Eligible If:
Due to the specific federal granting guidelines, you are not eligible for our program if:
- You do not meet at least ONE of the eligibility requirements mentioned in the “how do I know if I am eligible” question.
- HonCC is not your home campus
- Not working towards earning a certificate or degree
- If you are part of another TRIO-SSS program within the same fiscal year
- If you already have an associate’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional)
I Submitted A Program Application. When Can I Expect A Reply?
We will contact you via your school email and the current phone number you provided within one week of your submission.
Is There A Limit On The Number Of Students Accepted Into The Program?
TRIO-SSS enrollment is limited to only 160 students. Therefore, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Once we reach the capacity of 160 students, additional accepted students will be placed on a waitlist until a seat opens.
If I Have Been Accepted Into The Program, Do I Need To Reapply Each Year?
If you have been accepted into our TRIO-SSS Program here at HonCC, you do not need to reapply each year. We encourage our participants to take an active role in the Program each year – please refer to ‘What are the Program Requirements Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about how to stay active in the Program.
What Are The Program Requirements?
Once a participant is accepted to the program, a TRIO-SSS staff member will work with you to develop your educational plan. Each participant is expected to take an active role in the TRIO-SSS Program. You must maintain your active status in order to receive program services. To be considered an active participant in the SSS Program, you must:
- Be admitted to the program.
- Complete the intake process (learning style inventory, financial literacy)
- Complete an Educational Plan every semester
- Sign a Program Participation Agreement.
- Meet regularly with the TRIO-SSS Staff to develop and maintain your Educational Plan
- Complete a program evaluation at the end of each semester of service.
What Services Do You Provide?
All services are provided at no cost to the participants.
Academic Support
- Academic Advising
- Priority Tutoring
- Priority Class Registration
- 4-Year College Transfer Advising
- Personal Support
Enrichment & Personal Development
- Peer Coaching
- Career Guidance
- College Success Course
- Student Success Workshops (iKEA Workshop Series)
- Cultural/Educational/Service-Learning Enrichment Activities
- Leadership Opportunities
- Educational Resources
Educational Resources
- Copy/Local Fax Access
- Financial Aid & Scholarship Search Assistance
- Financial Literacy Information
- Library Resources
See the video below to watch the same TRIO-SSS information again in video form.
Get in Touch
Trio Support Student Services (Trio-SSS)
Building 7, Room 320
Phone: (808) 844-2366
Hours: M–F, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Virtual appointments available
