Vermont Business Magazine The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the Community College of Vermont a federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant totaling more than $2 million over five years to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.
This award marks the continuation of 42 years of TRIO SSS services at CCV. Since 1983, the program has served 225 students annually, helping them stay in school, earn degrees, and build meaningful careers.
Through individualized services including prioritized advising, academic tutoring, financial aid and scholarship support, career development, peer mentoring, leadership opportunities, mental health counseling, and four-year college visits, TRIO SSS empowers students to overcome barriers to success. CCV’s TRIO SSS students are more than three times as likely to graduate from CCV than eligible students not enrolled in the program.
“This grant allows CCV to deepen our commitment to supporting all students in reaching their academic and career goals,” said CCV President Joyce Judy. “For over 40 years, CCV’s TRIO SSS program has served first-generation students, those from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities through individualized support, leadership development, and opportunities for exploration. This equips students with the confidence and resilience to achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to Vermont communities and beyond.”
SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. Since its inception in 1968, SSS has helped millions of low-income, first-generation students graduate from college and contribute to their communities and the economy.
“TRIO programs empower first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities to dream of what is possible,” said CCV Director of Student Services Conner Gilbert. “At CCV, TRIO Scholars build lasting relationships with advisors and peers, advance their leadership and academic skills, and receive personalized support to overcome barriers to success. As a TRIO alum, I know firsthand how impactful this support can be and I'm proud of our work to help students realize and achieve their goals."
For more information about TRIO Student Support Services at CCV, visit ccv.edu/trio or contact Conner Gilbert at [email protected].
CCV is Vermont’s second-largest college, serving more than 10,000 students each year. With 12 locations and extensive online learning options, our students don’t have to travel far from their communities to access our degree and certificate programs, workforce, secondary and continuing education opportunities, and academic and veterans support services.
TRIO programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program) help students overcome academic, economic, and social barriers to higher education. TRIO services include assistance in choosing a college and tutoring; personal, financial, and career counseling; assistance in applying to college; workplace and college visits; special instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and mathematics; assistance in applying for financial aid; and academic assistance in high school or assistance to reenter high school or college.
7.29.2025. Community College of Vermont, Montpelier now.ccv.edu
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