Welcome to Student Support Services!

Student Support Services (SSS) at Northwestern State is one of over nine hundred SSS programs in American colleges and universities under the Office of Federal TRIO Programs in the U.S. Department of Education. For more information about the SSS program, click here: http://www.ed.gov/programs/triostudsupp/index.html

SSS at Northwestern State provides 360 low income, first generation in college and/or disabled students with intensive and intrusive services, including academic and career advising, instruction in academic skills and financial education, assistance with applying for financial aid, peer tutoring, and other services. All services are designed to assist students to persist and graduate from the University with bachelor degrees.

Northwestern State students are selected for the SSS program. They must apply for admission, meet at least one of the three selection criteria listed above (Low Income, First Generation, Disabled) and demonstrate academic or other types of need as determined by the professional staff. Once admitted, program students must complete a Goals and Action Plan each semester, and must contact their Advisor or Counselor at least three times per semester to assess their progress in meeting their academic and personal goals. Students are encouraged to use services provided either by the SSS program or by other University offices as needed. 

Northwestern State students who participate in the SSS program have consistently graduated at a higher rate after six years than their peers within the University. For the six year period beginning with the 2003-2004 academic year cohort, over 40% of the participants earned bachelor's degrees.