TRiO Support Services

TRIO is proud to provide a grant to eligible students at the end of each academic year. Eligibility for TRIO grant aid is based on involvement, Pell Grant eligibility, financial need and class standing.

A series of 50-minute workshops aims to help students improve their academic, personal and social skills. Workshops are offered in a variety of settings, small group, one-on-one and online to provide flexibility for our students. Workshop schedules are issued at the beginning of each semester. Topics include managing your time efficiently, getting along with instructors, financing your education, planning your four-year degree and more.

TRIO academic advisor are able to provide assistance with creating current, and planning future, course schedules. Progress reports are also sent out on behalf of each TRIO student for faculty members to record student’s attendance, academic performance and current grade in the course. Instructors also are encouraged to make additional comments for success. Students with less than a “C” in any course are advised to meet with their advisor to discuss a plan for improvement.

An individualized academic plan is developed with each new TRIO student. Crafted between our students and TRIO academic advisor, this plan identifies specific academic goals and support needs while spelling out strategies for successfully achieving goals.

Students in TRIO are eligible for individual tutoring. Students can work with one tutor in a subject area throughout the entire semester, meeting the tutor at regularly scheduled times on a weekly basis. Walk-in tutoring is also available for TRIO students in the tutoring labs in the Student Success & Tutoring Center.

TRIO academic advisors are equipped to assist students with submitting their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Academic advisors can also help students find applicable scholarships, both on-campus and off-campus. TRIO also partners with R.I.A. Federal Credit Union to bring exciting, hands-on information regarding budgets, credit and more!

TRiO strives to build a learning community where our students from diverse backgrounds have opportunities to enjoy the diversity of the Black Hawk College community. We provide free social and cultural activities throughout the year for students to meet their TRiO peers, faculty and staff. TRiO partners with other campus organizations for exciting opportunities and field-trips.

TRIO students have the benefit of working with academic advisors to create individualized transfer plans. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisors to find potential transfer schools and explore major options. TRIO also arranges free transfer school visits for an immersed experience.

Academic advisors work closely with our students with disabilities to facilitate their learning experience. We work collaboratively with the Black Hawk College Disability Services Office supporting students with disabilities through helping students better understand accommodations, ensure class selections are tailored to specific needs, access to technology to support academic goals, and support in how to talk with professors about needs and accommodations.

TRIO academic advisors also provide ongoing major and career guidance and recommendations for transfer, graduation and employment. TRIO students are able to partake in career assessments and have access to career planning tools.

TRIO has a large selection of current textbooks on reserve in the BHC Library for TRIO students’ use only. Textbooks may be checked out in the library for two hours. Students also have the opportunity to scan chapters from the text to place on a flash drive for later use.