The Student Support Services office has a team of professionals to assist you with your studies at Springfield Technical Community College. The SSS staff is committed to monitoring your progress to promote your growth and success in college. We offer guidance and appropriate goal setting throughout your stay at STCC. The college experience is new for many of you and the SSS staff is prepared to ease your transition to an academic setting. We know your studies are most challenging in the beginning; therefore, you will be informed about all of the services available to you to help in your success.
This program assists students to adjust to the college environment and to maximize their potential for success. Services include academic and career advising, orientation and workshops, personal counseling, and a one-semester course. The program emphasizes individual contact with each project participant, and is part of the Enrollment Management Division. Student Support Services is located in Building 27, 2nd floor, Room 208; the phone number is (413) 755-4718.
The goal of the Student Support Services Program at Springfield Technical Community College is to offer supportive academic advising to 240 students who have already been accepted to the college. Students must meet certain eligibility criteria to participate in the program per guidelines set up by the US Department of Education.
Eligibility for the SSS Program is determined by the following Federal guidelines:
- Students who are first in their family to attend college (1st generation)
- Students from families who do not have the financial ability to pay for college (low income)
- High school graduates or students with GEDs who have not mastered the prerequisites for college level courses (academic need)
- Students with physical and or learning disabilities (disability)
- Students with limited English speaking ability (language)
To find out if you are eligible, print out the application and complete it. Then either drop it off at the Student Support Services office in Building 27, 2nd Floor, Room 208; or mail it to:
Springfield Technical Community College
Attn: SSS Office
One Armory Square
Springfield, MA 01102
SSS Application (PDF 90KB)
Students do not have to meet all of the above criteria to be eligible; however, various combinations of the above categories are considered for eligibility.
- 4-year college Transfer Assistance
- Career Exploration
- College Success Seminar
- Counseling
- Financial Aid Assistance
- Intra-College Transfer Assistance
- Monitoring
- Resource Room
- Tutorial Assistance
What is Student Support Services (SSS)?
Student Support Services is an academic support office that provides services to students selected under two grants. Many of the students participating in the grant programs are General Studies students who have been identified as needing academic support to facilitate success in college. The Student Support Services grant supports approximately 300 students per year; the Vocational Education Grant services an additional 250 students per year.
What services are provided by the Student Support Services staff?
The two grant programs under the Student Support Services Office provide the following services:
- Initial registration, advisement and demographic in-take to qualify students.
- SSS advisor assignment for grant participants;
- Continued monitoring of student performance after ICT and faculty advisor assignment.
- Individualized counseling.
- Specialized tutorial support.
- ICT assistance.
- Provide support in conjunction with ADA Office to select a number of disabled students as outlined by grant.
- Group guidance through special sections of College Success Seminar (ND160) course.
- Career assessment, planning and guidance.
- Assist in conjunction with Transfer Placement Office in transfer planning.
- Provide study skills support.
What tutorial services are available through the Student Support Services Office?
Through grant funds, SSS supports tutorial services for participants under both grants. Four professional tutors (four-year degrees in respective disciplines) are on staff to provide support in math, English and reading. The SSS tutors are housed in the Student Success Center and available exclusively to grant participants.
What are the guidelines for referring students to Student Support Services?
Procedurally, General Studies students who are not part of the Student Support Services or Vocational Education grant programs should be referred to the new Liberal Arts Transfer/General Studies Office (Building 17, Room 210). Those students who have been selected for the SSS or Vocational Education grant programs should be referred to the Student Support Services Office (Building 27, Room 208). All incoming General Studies students, however, should continue to make appointments for initial registration and advising at the SSS Office. Program applications for both grants are available through the SSS Office and after initial in-take information is completed students selection takes place based on satisfying grant eligibility criteria. All other General Studies students are assigned to faculty advisors through the Liberal Arts Transfer/General Studies Office.
Why can't I participate in the Student Support Services grant programs?
Many students who may have friends in the SSS grant programs ask this question. Simply put, students must meet strict guidelines set forth by the Federal Department of Education. Although some students may meet the guidelines of the grants, the number of participants is restricted by grant providers. Selections are based on the number of students with the most need and participants who are the "best fit" for the projects.
What guidelines/criteria are used in the selection process for grant participants?
Both grants, first and foremost, require that students must be in need of academic support to optimize their success in college. The criteria used for academic need are two or more placement test scores that fall below college level. In addition, the following guidelines are used for each grant program:
Student Support Services (combination of the following selection criteria is needed):
- Need to be first generation college student, i.e. neither parent completed a four-year degree.
- Need to meet family income guidelines set forth by federal TRIO programs.
- Students with disabilities automatically qualify.
Vocational Education Grant
- Economic guidelines must be met.
- Single parent or displaced worker status.
- Academic goal for participants must be an Intra-College Transfer into a career program in Business, Health or Technologies.
- Focus on participants tracking towards non-traditional careers based on gender.
If I am selected for either grant program, will it affect my financial aid in any way?
Selection to either program will have no adverse affect on your financial aid and your eligibility: on the contrary, if you qualify under the income criteria guideline for either grant, your prospects for receiving aid are in fact enhanced. SSS staff works closely with the Financial Aid Office to ensure maximum aid is awarded to program participants.
What is the relationship between General Studies and Student Support Services?
Students for either grant are selected from a General Studies applicant pool. This applicant pool is made up of all entering, incoming General Studies students for a given semester. Qualified students are then selected to participate in the appropriate grant program.
What does the term "Monitor" mean in relationship to Student Support Services?
Students are initially assigned to an advisor for both the SSS project and the Vocational Education program. These academic advisors provide the services described in question #2. At this level, intensive support is provided to retain students and ensure that college-level functions are achieved. As participants become more focused on career tracks and transfer to academic career programs, the advising role is relinquished to a faculty member in the new department. Grant staff continue to "monitor" the student's performance and render services as outlined by project guidelines together with the faculty advisor.
What if I just want to transfer to a four-year college and not necessarily get a degree from STCC?
The Student Support Services Office has a transfer counselor/specialist who will assist project participants in the transfer process. Students are generally encouraged to attain a two-year degree from our Institution before transferring, however, a degree is not required for transfer assistance to a four-year college.
Dean of Students FAQ
How do students notify their teachers when they are absent?
If they are out for an extended period of time (3 or more days), they can call the Dean of Student Services Office and we will send out an absence report notifying their professors about how long they expect to be out and the reason. We do not send out absence reports for 1-2 day absences. For short absences, the student can notify the professor either by phone or once they return to class, depending upon the professor's absence policy. Also, when the Dean of Student Services Office sends out an absence report, it does not excuse a student, it merely lets the professor know why the student is out.
What is the absence policy for classes?
Individual professors are responsible for instituting their own absence policies. They should inform students what their absence policy is at the beginning of the semester. Most professors state their absence policy in their course syllabus.
How does someone notify a student in case of an emergency? What is considered an "emergency?"
If there is a legitimate emergency, the person needs to contact the Dean of Student Services Office and we will notify the student. We consider legitimate emergencies to be: a sick child/family member, house on fire, a death in the family, etc. We do not consider a change in a doctor's appointment or the fact that a student owes someone money, etc. to be an emergency. We will not interrupt a class to give messages of this nature.
Can a parent check on a student's progress or attendance?
No, a parent cannot check on a student's progress or attendance unless the student has signed a Release of Information Form. There is a federal law called FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which states this type of information cannot be given out unless a student has authorized it, even to the parent of a dependent child.
Can an outside agency verify that someone attended STCC and/or received a degree from STCC?
Yes, this is considered "directory information" and can be obtained by contacting the Registrar's Office. If a student does not want directory information released, they need to notify the Registrar's Office in writing. The Registrar's Office also has a form they can fill out.
Can a student appeal a past bill?
Yes, if there were extenuating circumstances involved in why the student stopped attending or withdrew from College. They need to fill out a Day Division Withdrawal Status Appeal Form, attach documentation of extenuating circumstances, and send it to the Dean of Student Services Office.
Can students have a bill deferred?
No, bills can no longer be deferred. The College has instituted a payment plan available to students for current or past due bills. Students should see Mary Ann or Liz in the Bursar's office in building 15 room 109 to sign up for the payment plan.
Who do students see if they are experiencing a problem with a teacher?
Contact the Dean or Assistant Deans of Student Services.
What does a teacher do when he or she is experiencing problems with a student?
They can handle the problem themselves, or they can ask the Dean or Assistant Dean of Student Services to intervene.
If a student didn't withdraw properly, and received an "F" for a grade, can he or she have it changed to a "W?"
Yes, but only a professor can change a grade. Students must petition the professor for the class to change the grade to a "W." Most professors will only consider doing this if there were extenuating circumstances which caused the student to stop attending.