TRiO offers two programs for students who are wanting to transfer to a university, and they help students with their classes. TRiO is located on the third floor of the Rogers Student Center. According to the TRiO website, they will help students navigate through the admissions and the financial aid process if a student needs financial aid for the university. 

“We are funded by the U.S. Department of Education to serve low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities,” said Brad Gifford, the director of TRiO. “Having these extra resources available to students here at TJC just provides that extra support and true guidance that they need to be successful.”

Both the Student Support Services and the Educational Center is funded by the United States Department of Education. Student Support Services helps with academic coaching, financial literacy, transfer information, career services, tutoring and cultural enrichment. This includes graduation plans, FASFA guidance, helping new students choose a major and more. If students want to learn about this program, they can visit the Student Support Services website. 

TRiO has been on the TJC campus for 26 years. “We’ve been able to serve thousands of students,” Gifford said. “Our program is very, very successful with the population that we serve. So, if any student falls within one of the eligibility requirements for Student Support Services, I would highly encourage them to apply and hopefully get accepted into the program and start taking advantage of all the resources.”

TRiO has achieved many accomplishments including helping its members earn 2,118 certificates and degrees. Those include 283 certificates, 1,066 associate degrees, 575 bachelor’s degrees, 179 master’s degrees and 15 doctoral degrees. TRiO has served a total of 2,278 students. 

“They’re very helpful. And like everybody is here, they are willing and wanting to help you achieve your goals. So, every time I come here, I feel like I’m achieving something even if it’s nothing I feel like I’ve achieved something,” said Lesly Bracely, a freshman majoring in finance. 

The second program TRiO offers is the Educational Opportunity Center, which helps students with admissions, advising, financial aid and career counseling. This program focuses more on the transfer process to whichever university or community college the students want to transfer to. 

TRiO recruits people through the Center for Student Life and Involvement. They also recruit people during the Involvement Fair TJC holds at the beginning of each semester. 

“EDUC Faculty allow us to come in and visit with students in their first or second semester of school when they’re taking EDUC 1300,” Gifford said. “We have a really good referral system across the campus from faculty and staff that realizes the benefits of TRiO and they refer students to us on a regular basis.” 

TRiO is made to help low income, first-generation students and students with disabilities. If a student’s parents or guardian is not making enough money to pay for college, if the student is low-income, first-generation college student and is 19 years old, TRiO will be able to help them. 

“I’m low-income, first-generation college graduate, as well. And so I know the struggles that a lot of students have,” Gifford said. “So just knowing that there is a program that can really change lives, just really led me to wanting to work and serve in the TRiO community.”

TRiO is a federal grant program that Congress started in 1964. Gifford explained TRiO started “with the war against poverty.”

“They came up with the regulations on the federal level, and so, all TRiO programs across the country have the same federal requirements of working and serving with low-income first-generation college students,” Gifford said. 

For more information about TRiO, visit the TRIO website. Also, students can contact Gifford at 903-510-2612 and [email protected]. TRiO is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.