Student Services
STS 2nd Floor
Monday - Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 12 PM
Program Components
- Academic/Career Advising & Counseling
- Instruction
- Tutoring & Academic Support
- First-Year Summer Academy & Peer Mentorship Program
- Workshops & Cultural Enrichment Activities
- Four-Year College / University Campus Visits
- Who We Serve: Eligible MPC Students, Including First-time Freshmen, Current Attendees, and Re-entry Students
Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident: Waived Until September 2026 Under the Performance Partnership Pilot
- First-Generation: Neither Parent / Guardian Holds a Bachelor's Degree
- Income Qualified: Based on Federal Taxable Income or Pell eligibility per FAFSA
- Documented Disability: Verified Documentation or Assessment by MPC Access Resource Center
- Enrolled at MPC with a Minimum of 12 Units: Fall & Spring semesters
- Goal to Earn an Associate's Degree and Transfer to a Four-year College / University
Apply to Join TRIO SSS
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"Support is the best description of MPC's TRIO SSS Program. Many students have never had a cheering squad made of staff and faculty who believe in their potential for success. TRIO is that cheering squad. We are a support program for first-generation, low-income students from traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO participants overcome obstacles, and they succeed. TRIO works."
Pay it Forward & Volunteer!
Because TRIO values volunteerism to benefit the campus and greater community, every participant pledges to contribute time and energy to at least one program-approved activity or event per semester. Some recent accomplishments from our program participants include Fashion Shows, Student Mentorship, Youth Athlete Outreach, Newspaper Opinion Pieces, Coastal Cleanup, SSS Booths & Tabling Student Events, Coastal Cleanup, & many more!
If you wish to sign-up and / or participate in a campus / community event, contact our main office at (831) 646-4246.
Frequently Asked Questions
TRIO is a federally-funded educational support program designed to foster academic success for students traditionally disadvantaged due to unfamiliarity with post-secondary education and to economic constraints. At MPC, three academic programs operate within the TRIO "umbrella": Upward Bound, Math/Science Upward Bound, and Student Support Services.
Of the three programs mentioned above, Student Support Services (SSS) is the educational support program that specifically serves undergraduate college students. Here at MPC, that means SSS serves our community college students (not high school students).
The TRIO (Math/Science Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Upward Bound) main office is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Services Building on the upper end of MPC's campus. The TRIO Learning Center is adjacent to the Student Services Building and adjacent to MPC's Student Center.
Keep browsing our web pages for all the details about our supportive services!
Our program is designed to support full-time college students who are first-generation college students (neither parent/guardian possesses a Bachelor's Degree) and/or low-income AND who intend to graduate from MPC then transfer to complete undergraduate studies at the 4-year-college level.
No--age doesn't matter! Our participants are of all ages and come straight from high school or from years of work and life experience beyond college (commonly called "re-entry" students.)
No. We affiliate with EOPS often, but we are two different programs with different missions, funding sources, and eligibility requirements. Some SSS students simultaneously participate in EOPS, but these are two completely separate programs.
The expectation is that our students maintain full-time enrollment (a minimum of 12 units) in order to graduate and transfer within a timely manner. Students can be admitted into the program for less than full-time status on a case by case scenario.
Unfortunately, no. Our program serves students seek to earn the Associate's degree followed by a transfer to a 4-year college in pursuit of a bachelor's (or higher) degree. Our mission and our federal grant require that we support students who intend to transfer.
Yes, there is currently a waiting list to join SSS. To get started, please stop by our TRIO main office (2nd floor of Student Services Bldg) or contact our office at 831.646.4246.
Once a semester we offer opportunities for our students to visit a four-year institution to expose students to the various systems (i.e. UC, CSU, Private).
Absolutely. Both are requirements for SSS participants, and both are important means toward financing your college education and reaching your career goals. Our staff are trained to assist you with completing the FAFSA and MPC/STARS Scholarship applications.
Unfortunately, no. Our limited resources must be used in service of our program mission and our current program participants.
During each semester, eligible SSS and EOPS participants (must be referred by EOPS Counselor) may use the TLC Monday-Thursday, 9am - 2pm; & Friday 9am - 1pm. Outside of those hours, the TLC is used by our pre-college TRIO programs (Math/Science Upward Bound & Upward Bound), and is not available for use by non-MPC TRIO students.
Whether you are an SSS participant or not, MPC students seeking additional language/writing resources may contact the English & Study Skills Center located on the 1st floor of the Library Technology Center (phone 831-646-4177) for more information.
Students seeking math support may visit the Math Learning Center located at BMC 103 (phone: 831-645-1330) for more information.
Students seeking STEM-related tutoring support may contact the ENGR Department office located at BMC 202B (phone 831-646-1327) for more information.
Students seeking help with assistive technology and adaptive technology to help with learning differences or disabilities may consult with the Access Resource Center located on the 1st floor of the Student Services Building in STS 115 (phone 831-646-4070) for more information.