TRIO program bolsters support for first-generation, low-income students at Yakima Valley College
For many students from low-income households who strive to be the first in their families to attend and graduate from college, YVC’s TRIO Student Support Services is making a world of difference. Complementing student financial aid programs which help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, the TRIO program provides valuable supportive services to help students successfully enter college and graduate.
Student Annamaria Delaluz, who is taking courses to earn her associate degree in business administration, feels that YVC’s TRIO program has helped her be successful.
“TRIO has not only given me support through free tutoring services and amazing workshops, but it has given mentors to [help me] navigate through the college culture and the courage to be open to making social connection with peers and instructors,” she said. “It has given opportunities that I would have otherwise not been able to do, such as trips to different universities to further my education, and opened networking opportunities for my career field.”
TRIO Student Support Services provides assistance with tutoring, academic advising and counseling, university and workplace visits, as well as workshops on study skills, time management, financial literacy, and applying for scholarships and jobs. TRIO SSS participants are also eligible to apply for a TRIO Grant to help with the costs of college.
Another student who benefitted from YVC’s program is Nayumi Paredes. Paredes earned her associate in arts transfer degree this past June.
“Whenever I had a question or needed to figure out something, TRIO [staff] always helped me with the answer to my questions,” Paredes said. “Participating in TRIO made me more comfortable and make connections as part of a group. I was able to get out of my comfort zone and participate more in school activities thanks to TRIO.”
More than 1,000 colleges, universities and community agencies host more than 2,800 TRIO projects that serve more than 800,000 young people and adults. TRIO serves students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
For more information about YVC’s TRIO Services contact Dustin Shattuck at 509.574.4960 / dshattuck@yvcc.edu.
Press Release Contacts:
Dustin Wunderlich / 509.574.6870 / dwunderlich@yvcc.edu
Stefanie Menard / 509.574.4646 / smenard@yvcc.edu