Student Support Services

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES APPLICATION

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Student Support Services is a federally funded program designed to meet the academic needs of East Central University students.  Our goal is to improve the retention and graduation rates of our students by providing an environment where students can come for assistance with academic and personal needs. 

Who Qualifies?

You must be enrolled at East Central University and need academic support.  You must also belong to one of the following groups:

• First generation college student (neither parent has a 4-year college degree)
• Economically disadvantaged
• Disabled (must be documented with Testing and Accessibility Services)

If you are uncertain if you meet the eligibility guidelines, please contact our office at (580) 559-5833!

Services We Provide:

• Academic advisement
• Enrollment assistance
• Computer lab access
• Free Tutoring
• Financial aid information and application assistance
• Student Advocacy
• On campus and community resources
• Advisement on study skills, stress management, test anxiety, financial literacy, and career options

We are committed to East Central Students!

We will do everything within our power to listen to your needs, evaluate your unique situation and find the best available solution to meet your needs.

About Us

ECU SSS History

Student Support Services began on ECU's campus as Special Services in 1972.  The name was changed to Project Goals and then later to the Learning Resources and Counseling Center.  Eventually, the name Student Support Services was adopted.   The program remained on campus until the grant ended in 2007.  In September 2010, ECU was again awarded the Student Support Services grant, but it would be under the new name of sECUre success.  In September 2015, a new grant was established and now operates as Student Support Services.

A Brief History of TRiO

President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" initiative led to the creation of the TRiO programs. The first program, Upward Bound, was created with the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.  Talent Search followed in 1965 as a part of the Higher Education Act of 1965.  The third program, Special Services, now known as Student Support Services, was authorized in Higher Education Act of 1968.  When Student Support Services was added as the third program, the name TRIO was adopted to represent the programs.  In subsequent years and reauthorizations of Higher Education Act, several other programs were added (Upward Bound Math and Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Educational Opportunity Center, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement program) but like the programs, the name TRiO has stayed the test of time.

Mission Statement

Student Support Services' mission is to assist students who are "at risk" in breaking the cycle of underachievement, experience post-secondary success, and create better lives for themselves, their families and their communities.