In 2021, the U.S. Department of Education awarded the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota a highly competitive federal TRIO Student Support Services grant of $261,888 annually over five years.

Through TRIO, SCF expanded its student service initiatives to identify and provide year-round academic and financial coaching and other integral services for first-generation college students, those from underserved economic backgrounds or students with disabilities. The TRIO program's overall goal is to increase its participants' college retention and graduation rates. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2022), only 61% of first-time, full-time degree-seeking students are retained fall to fall at public institutions.

Statistics also tell us that students who are engaged and offered guided pathways are more successful. At SCF, we’ve taken a student-centered approach, and the TRIO staff provide student-centered support through individualized academic and career advising, financial literacy and planning, mentoring, workshops, cultural enrichment activities and tutoring. 

"My parents did not go to college," said Angel, who will graduate in 2024 as an occupational therapy assistant. “I had no one to ask or seek guidance from and needed assistance.” She credits the TRIO program with helping her to procrastinate less, building her social network of peers, and helping her to write her cover letter and resume so she can graduate with employment. 

Julie, a first time in college student, graduated from high school in 1995 and decided to return to set an example for her son and due to an injury, needs to find a new career. Finding the enrollment and ongoing college experience challenging to navigate, she said, “The TRIO staff are helpful beyond belief,” and she attends nearly every workshop and aims to see the staff at least once a month. She will graduate with a degree in graphic design and hopes to travel the world while working remotely.

Jimmy, affected by a disability, was told as early as elementary school that he would not succeed, let alone graduate from college. However, with the provision of services and self-determination, he’s persisted and maintains a 4.0-grade point average. He will soon graduate with an associate degree and plans to pursue his bachelor’s and a PhD in history, with his dream job being a professor or working in government. He commented that the staff of SCF “feel like family” and have helped him “to be self-sufficient and confident.” Jimmy received tutoring, a scholarship, mentoring, and writing assistance through TRIO’s student support services.

Funding provided by the grant allows SCF to serve 140 students each year. SCF’s goal was to achieve a 74% persistence and a 67% good academic standing rate. As is our tradition, SCF not only delivered on our promise, but we surpassed our goal. Of those participating in the program, 86% will persist by continuing their higher education or graduating with their associate degree or certificate. 88% of students enrolled in the program are in good academic standing with a 2.0 or above GPA.

Imagine if we could provide this type of student-centered support service to all who need it, but the program is expensive and requires adequate funding. SCF is seeking funding from the State, on par with other Florida College System schools of comparable size, to expand these services so that anyone pursuing higher education can access the support they need to succeed. As your state college, we serve more than 10,000 credit-seeking students each year. With the appropriate resources, SCF can help them become self-sufficient so they can persist,  graduate and enter the workforce at rates far exceeding the national average.

Dr. Carol Probstfeld is president of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.