TRIO Programs
CONTACT US
Student Support Services
Randolph Hall, Room 6
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)
Phone: 541-888-7419
TRIO Support Services Email
Education Talent Search & Upward Bound
Randolph Hall, Room 8
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)
Phone: 541-888-7223
Talent & Upward Bound Email

The Student Support Services program at Southwestern Oregon Community College is one of the TRIO programs funded through a competitive grant by the U.S. Dept. of Education, Division of Special Services for the Disadvantaged, Title IV, Higher Education Act of 1965. One hundred percent of the TRIO SSS program at Southwestern is supported with federal funds of approximately $346,835 per year.
TRIO is a federally funded grant program to help students succeed at both the high school and college levels. The three TRIO programs offered through Southwestern include:
- TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) for students attending Southwestern.
- TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) for high school students.
- TRIO Upward Bound (UB) for high school students.
See below for more detailed information about each of these programs.
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)
We’re a federally funded program that provides select students with free academic support services designed to help you succeed at Southwestern through graduation and prepare for your next step. Whether that’s transferring to a four-year school, applying to Southwestern’s nursing program, or entering the workforce after earning a degree or certificate, our friendly staff is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals!
Why join TRIO SSS?
The numbers tell the story. Students who utilize our services are nearly twice as likely as their peers to earn better grades, graduate from Southwestern, and successfully transfer to a four-year school.
Real people with real solutions.
We recognize that college can be challenging (and sometimes overwhelming) and we’re here to help you navigate through it all. We go out of our way to help students break down barriers so that everyone can succeed. We have your back!
What extra services do you get with TRIO SSS?
You’ll have unlimited access to 1-on-1 services, including: academic advising and transfer planning, career exploration, tutoring, peer mentoring, and assistance with financial aid and scholarship applications. We also have college success workshops to help you become a better student, as well as visits to Oregon’s four-year universities. Our computer lab is reserved solely for TRIO SSS students and is a great place to do homework, access tutoring and connect with other TRIO SSS students and advisors.
Who is eligible?
To qualify, students must be:
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Accepted for enrollment at Southwestern
In addition, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- First generation college student (parents did not earn a 4-yr degree by your 18th birthday)
- Meet federal low income guidelines
- Have a documented disability
Educational Talent Search
Educational Talent Search (ETS) is an educational access and retention program for middle and high school students, sponsored by Southwestern Oregon Community College, and funded through the U.S. Department of Education.
Learn more about Educational Talent Search
Our purpose is to identify, motivate, and assist students in their educational transitions. We assist and encourage students to stay in school and graduate, and enroll in a community college, university, or technical training program.
Throughout the year ETS students attend various fun and educational activities, and they are always FREE! All high school plays and performances are free to ETS students. College campus visits are scheduled throughout the year and are available to all ETS juniors and seniors.
ETS Services
- Counseling about academic, career, and vocational opportunities.
- Exposure to career opportunities and college campuses.
- Workshops and in-school sessions relevant to study skills, career choices, and opportunities for education beyond high school.
- Assistance with PSAT and SAT registration, college admissions, scholarship applications, and financial aid forms.
- Referrals to other educational support services and community resources for participants and their parents.
Eligibility
You can participate if you attend one of the following schools:
- Middle Schools
- Millicoma Intermediate School (6th grade only)
- Sunset Middle School
- North Bend Middle School
- High Schools
- Marshfield High School
- North Bend High School
- Reedsport High School
- Coquille High School
- Myrtle Point High School
- Powers High School
- Bandon High School
- Pacific High School
- Brookings/Harbor High School
- Gold Beach High School
- Are at least 11 years old and in the sixth grade.
- Parents or legal guardian did not graduate from a four-year college.
- Qualify within the income eligibility requirements.
- Are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
TRIO programs are funded by grants totaling $762,466 through the U.S. Department of Education.
To apply, contact the Talent Search specialist at your school or contact our office.
Upward Bound
Upward Bound (UB) is a college preparatory program for high school students. UB provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance and provides the fundamental support participants need in their preparation for college entrance. UB is designed to help students overcome economic, social, and educational barriers towards achieving the success of a degree in post secondary education.
Learn more about Upward Bound
Upward Bound serves 50 students through activities designed to improve their grades, promote study and research skills necessary for college, and generate the motivation needed to succeed in higher education. UB students receive a small monetary stipend that reflects their academic achievements and participation in the program.
Eligibility
Qualified applicants must meet the following criteria:
Is willing and able to participate in all aspects of the UB program including the 6-week Summer Academy.
- Has academic potential as evidenced by at least a “C” average in core-component courses (Math, Language Arts, Social Studies and Science).
- Is motivated about pursuing an education beyond high school.
- Is a first-generation college student, or a low-income individual; is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Has a parent/guardian who supports and encourages their student’s educational goals and UB commitments.
- Is currently a 9th or 10th grade student at either Marshfield or North Bend High School.
To apply, contact the UB specialist at your high school or contact our office.
CONTACT US
Student Support Services
Randolph Hall, Room 6
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)
Phone: 541-888-7419
TRIO Support Services Email
Education Talent Search & Upward Bound
Randolph Hall, Room 8
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)
Phone: 541-888-7223
Talent & Upward Bound Email

The Student Support Services program at Southwestern Oregon Community College is one of the TRIO programs funded through a competitive grant by the U.S. Dept. of Education, Division of Special Services for the Disadvantaged, Title IV, Higher Education Act of 1965. One hundred percent of the TRIO SSS program at Southwestern is supported with federal funds of approximately $346,835 per year.

“During the two years I attended Southwestern, I was also a member of the TRIO program. The resources TRIO provided allowed me to be a successful first-generation college graduate. Not only was I awarded various grants for my academic success, but I also had a place to go if I needed extra help with an assignment, or an inviting environment to take a break and relax. The TRIO program is also where I met my best friend and became more involved in my community through volunteering. Furthermore, the other TRIO students were welcoming, willing to help, and regularly inspired me to become a successful student. Overall, being a part of TRIO truly gave me a sense of belonging.”
– Kalandria Wisbey

“I never set my sights on college because just living day-to-day was a financial struggle. I had no idea how I was going to be a successful student until I found TRIO. They helped me realize that my dreams and ambitions were not out of reach simply because of my finances. TRIO made me feel validated and heard in my struggles. The TRIO advisors taught me about scholarships showing me I had many more opportunities available to me than I thought possible, and they showed me how to take advantage of them! It was a TRIO campus trip to Oregon State University that made me realize OSU was where I needed to be. It’s because of TRIO that I have made it to where I am today: an OSU graduate with a bachelor’s in Agricultural Science and a minor in Comparative International Agriculture.”
– Angelee Calder

“TRIO has been the secret ingredient in my recipe for academic success. My TRIO advisor has always encouraged my goals and provided expert guidance. TRIO also recommended financial resources to fit my situation. I owe a lot to them!”
– Julia Graves