Success from the start: whatcom community college's trio SSS program

Whatcom Community College received a $272,364 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program (CFDA 84.042) for the period of September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. The program delivers comprehensive supportive services designed to enhance the academic potential and postsecondary educational outcomes of disadvantaged students, including low-income, first-generation, and students with disabilities enrolled at the institution in Bellingham, Washington.

Under this award, Whatcom Community College provides targeted student support services aimed at increasing retention rates, improving graduation outcomes, and facilitating student transfers from the two-year institution to four-year programs. The TRIO SSS program offers academic advising, financial literacy education, and other support mechanisms to help at-risk student populations successfully complete their postsecondary education programs. As a public two-year institution with a strong commitment to supporting disadvantaged students, Whatcom Community College's program aligns with the broader federal objective of enhancing access, affordability, and completion in postsecondary education.