Eligibility
To be considered for TRiO/Student Support Services, students must be planning to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree AND qualify under AT LEAST ONE of the following criteria:
- Low Income - Based on Federal Financial Aid information
- First Generation - Neither parent received a Bachelor's Degree
- Disabled - Documentation of a disability
In addition to the qualifying criteria listed above, students who are accepted into the TRIO/SSS program at Iowa Western Community College will also meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or meet Federal Student Aid requirements for "permanent residency"
- Be accepted or enrolled at Iowa Western Community College
- Plan to transfer to a four-year institution after graduating from IWCC in order to pursue a bachelor's degree
Assisting Students with Academic Need
Because the TRIO/SSS program offers individualized support and services, all students who are accepted into the program must also prove to have an "academic need" that merits additional assistance in college. Academic Need is determined by ANY of the following criteria:
- Cumulative GPA below 2.5
- ACT score below 18 or SAT score below 950
- A nontraditional college student (out of school for a minimum of 5 years)
- Completed GED of high shcool equivalency
- Diagnosed and documented disability
- Currently failing a course or have a poor midterm grade
- One or more F's on transcript
- Limited English proficiency
- Placed in developmental college classes
Applying for TRIO/SSS
If you are interested in applying to be part of the TRiO/SSS program at Iowa Western Community College, you must complete an application. You may either pick up an application at our department office or print out an application online.
After completing the application, students can submit it in person or mail it to our offices. Applications are accepted year-round. Please include a copy of your Federal Tax Return with the application. After receiving your application, the TRiO/SSS Director will contact you to set up an applicant interview. The information you provide in your application and your interview are used to determine your acceptance into the program.
PLEASE NOTE: The information you provide in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used to determine "low-income" eligibility. If you have not completed your FAFSA at the time of application, you will be required to provide TRIO/SSS with copies of your most recent tax return so that we can verify your financial information.
MAILING ADDRESS:
Student Success Office
Iowa Western Community College
2700 College Road
Council Bluffs, IA 51503