Services Provided By TRIO DSS
All services provided by the DSS program are designed to increase retention/persistence, good academic standing and graduation rates of DSS eligible students. The program offers the following required and permissible services:
Academic tutoring
Students receive free tutoring in classes (up to three hundred level) in most of the main General Education courses. Students my receive a minimum of two hours per subject a week. Tutors are CRLA certified and must have received a grade of B or better in tutored courses.
Advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection
DSS Academic Advisors work cooperatively with WSU's college advisors to provide assistance in course selection according to the student's declared major, general education requirements, and to complete a semester-by-semester degree plan. Academic counseling enhances academic success and persistence. We provide our students with regular and ongoing opportunities to meet face to face with a knowledgeable advisor who really cares about the student's educational goals. Students' academic progress are tracked and monitored to continually evaluate the effectiveness of the program.
Information on financial aid programs and benefits
Students are referred to the WSU Office of Financial Aid for financial aid advice on student loans and grants. DSS has funds from the U.S. Department of Education (DSS Grant Aid) for program students who are Pell recipients, may experience financial hardship, and are at risk of dropping out. Students may also apply for Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) scholarships funded by WSU's Student Government Association (SGA). We also assist students in finding additional resources, scholarship searches, or information necessary in relation to financial aid.
Assistance in completing FAFSA
Academic Advisors assist students in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). DSS staff collaborate with the Office of Financial Aid in hosting FAFSA completion workshops in October, so that DSS students can meet the priority deadline. Students may also schedule a meeting one-on-one with their Academic Advisor to complete the FAFSA.
Education or counseling services for financial and economic literacy
The DSS Academic Advisor/Study Skills Coordinator customizes financial and economic literacy workshops for students. Students have an option to complete online workshops or one-on-one workshops with their DSS Academic Advisors. Students my request assistance in budgeting, understanding how credit works, scholarship research, or other topics related to financial and economic literacy.
Graduate and professional programs
DSS Academic Advisors assist our students in locating a graduate school that offers a post baccalaureate degree in their desired field. Students are also assisted in completing applications for graduate school and in preparing to take entrance exams. The students and Academic Advisors meet to discuss the requirements for entering graduate school, explain the difference between undergraduate and graduate coursework, and assist in completing any financial or institutional paperwork involved in the application process for graduate school.
Individualized counseling for personal, career, and academic matters
DSS Academic Advisors provide personal, career, and academic advisement to help students persist and graduate from WSU. For additional personal counseling students are referred to WSU's Counseling and Prevention Services. The various advisements help in preventing personal problems from hindering the student's educational progress, strengthening goals, selecting strategies to lower stress, and manage college, personal, and work demands. Through collaboration with WSU's Career Development Center, students are referred for additional services, such as internships or co-op opportunities.
Career development activities and career options
Working cooperatively with WSU's Career Development Center, students receive information on topics such as how to find a job, creating or improving a resume, and interview skills. Students may meet with their DSS Academic Advisor for one-on-one resume review or mock interviews, or they may make an appointment with the Career Development Center.
Acclimating students from disadvantaged backgrounds to the university
At the beginning of each semester, the DSS Study Skills Coordinator hosts group workshops over topics designed to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds acclimate themselves to the university, such as how to read a syllabus, and organization or time management planning. Students are encouraged to attend campus events and activities related to disadvantaged backgrounds.
Campus and community involvement opportunities
We encourage our students to participate in campus activities (i.e. be involved in student organizations, fraternities/sororities, Student Involvement, study abroad, service-learning, attend student government sponsored activities, fine arts and sports events). Also, we recommend our students become involved in community activities (i.e. Special Olympics, rallies, etc).
Textbook lending library
DSS has a few textbooks available for checkout on a semester-by-semester basis. The textbooks that we have on loan are from the main GEP courses (Algebra, Biology, English, History, Psychology, Spanish, etc).
Study/life skills workshops
Our students can request one-on-one study/life skills sessions from the DSS Academic Advisors. We also provide various workshops throughout the academic year. Students in the DSS program are required to attend at least one study/life skills workshop and one financial literacy workshop per semester.
Computer and technology lab use
Students are encouraged to utilize the computer lab in the Office of Disability Services located in RM 203 Grace Wilkie Hall. The lab has computers/printers with adaptive equipment and software enabling students with disabilities to complete their assignments.