FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College has been awarded more than $2.6 million in U.S. Department of Education funding to continue TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) at the South and Trinity River campuses. The programs provide critical academic and personal support to first-generation college students, low-income students and students with disabilities.
TCC South, on the western edge of the historic Stop Six area, will receive $1.7 million over five years, with an annual award of $348,515. TRIO SSS has served students there since 1997; it supports 170 annually with tutoring, financial aid and scholarship guidance, career exploration and mentoring.
“The renewal of the TRIO SSS grant reflects the ongoing confidence in our mission to support students in achieving academic success,” said Zoi Tucker, interim director of TRIO programs at TCC South.
“This vital funding ensures that we can continue building pathways of opportunity. We remain committed to empowering our students to reach their fullest potential.”
TCC Trinity River in downtown Fort Worth will receive $1,361,820 over five years to support 140 students through 2030. The TCC Trinity River TRIO SSS program quickly became a cornerstone of student success.
“This grant allows us to create spaces where students are not only seen and supported but equipped to thrive,” said program director Chasity Alexander, who helped launch the Trinity River program in 2020. “Receiving the TRIO SSS grant is an opportunity to transform lives. It challenges us to move beyond simply reporting outcomes and instead use data to drive lasting change.”
TRIO SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 designed to remove social, academic and cultural barriers to higher education. Since its inception in 1968, TRIO SSS has helped millions of students earn college degrees.
Nationally, TRIO SSS participants are 47% more likely than their peers to earn an associate degree and 18% more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree.
To explore eligibility and services, visit the TRIO Student Support Services program page.
Celebrating 60 years of excellence and impact in 2025, Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive community college with six campuses in Tarrant County, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds.