TRIO-Student Support Service (TRIO-SSS) strives to provide a range of academic support, career guidance, transfer planning, and professional development opportunities to qualifying community college students who are first-generation in college, have a financial need, and/or disability and demonstrate strong academic potential.
TRIO-SSS is designed to:
- Increase the retention and graduation rates of eligible students;
- Increase the transfer rates of eligible students from two-year to four-year institutions; and
- Foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of eligible participants.
This project is federally funded through a $285,102 annual grant from the U.S. Department of Education (2025-2030). For more information, please contact our office.
Program Information
Requirements
- A student is eligible to apply for the TRIO-SSS if the student meets all of the following requirements:
- Is a citizen or national of the United States or meets the residency requirements to apply for .
- The residency requirement includes American Samoa, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Island students.
- Students who possess a Resident Alien Card.
- Honolulu Community College is their home campus, and they are working toward earning a Certificate or Associate’s degree and/or plan on transferring to a four-year college or university.
- Have not already earned an Associate’s degree or higher.
- Has a need for academic support.
- Meets one or more of the following criteria:
- First-generation college student (neither parent/guardian graduated from a 4-year college
- Low-income student (determined by the )
- A student with an appropriately documented disability
How to Apply
To see if you qualify for the TRIO-SSS program, please fill out the . Once we receive your application, you will meet with our professional staff to determine your eligibility, space availability, and our services.
Through faculty and staff referrals, each of our Peer tutors/coaches has been interviewed and selected by the TRIO-SSS professional staff. In addition, they have been trained and found competent to assist our program participants effectively.
The Tutoring/Coaching Program’s design is to guide and assist students with a particular subject or field of study, provide ongoing support, advice, and encouragement, and share experiences that will assist students in their overall development. This service represents an important form of instruction that impacts students who are not only struggling with the academic and personal demands of college but also encourages students to maintain and stay on top of the demands to ensure good academic standing.
Furthermore, one of our most significant goals is to help students become independent learners. Our Peer Tutors are not information or answer dispensers. Students must understand and be reminded that they are responsible for their learning. The student must attend classes regularly and do the assigned work, projects, and readings.
These services are available during the Fall, Spring, Winter, and Summer Sessions during TRIO-SSS regular hours of operation:
Monday through Friday (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Closed on Weekends and Institutional Holidays
Tutoring/Coaching Services
All peer tutor/coach & coaches will be able to assist you with the following:
- Peer Coaching/Mentoring
- Connect You To Campus Resources
- Registering for Classes
- Scholarship Assistance
- Computer Resources (including password retrieval, organizing email, general tech help, online forms and forms)
- Utilization of MyUH Services, STAR, Laulima
- Study Skills
- Note Taking & Organization
- Test Taking Strategies
- FAFSA Guidance
- Goal Setting
Spring 2026 Tutoring/Coaching Schedule
Staff Tutor/Coach
| Tutor | Availability | Subject(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | Monday – Friday 9:00am-4:00pm | ENGLISH BASIC MATH HDFS ALL COACHING SKILLS |
| Jolene | Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | ENGLISH SP 151 WRITING BASIC MATH ALL COACHING SKILLS |
Peer Tutor/Coach
| Tutor | Availability | Subject(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Noel | Monday & Wednesday 9:00am – 11:15am 1:00pm – 4:30pm | ALL COACHING SKILLS |
| Jing | Monday & Tuesday 9:00am – 2:00pm | ACC 201 ENG 100, 209 ECON 130 ESL 13, 14, 23, 24 FSHN 185 HDFS 230 HWST 107, 281, 281L ICS 101 IS 103 KLS 195 MATH 75X, 25, 103, 135, 140 SP 151 ALL COACHING SKILLS |
| Joey | Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00am – 11:00am 1:00pm – 4:30pm Thursday 1:00pm – 4:00pm | ALL COACHING SKILLS |
| Sean | Monday & Tuesday 9:00am – 11:00am 12:30pm – 4:30pm Thursday 12:00pm – 4:30pm | ASAN 100, 201 ENG 100, 209 HWST 107, 281, 281L HIST 151, 152 IS 103 PHYL 141/141L PSY 100 SOC 100 SP 151, 170, 181 ALL COACHING SKILLS |
Availability: Schedules vary for each tutor, please stop by the TRIO-SSS office to view tutoring schedules and/or make an appointment. If there is a particular subject that you need tutoring in that we currently do not offer, you can fill out a tutor request form, and we will do our best to provide you with a tutor who specializes in your particular subject.
Meet our Peer Tutors & Coaches
Noel DeMarco
Aloha. My name is Noel, and I am a nontraditional college student
majoring in Liberal Arts. The TRIO program has helped me immensely
with resources and a wealth of support. I appreciate the opportunity to
give back to students as I have generously received. I look forward to
seeing you in TRIO and supporting you on your academic journey.
Jing Liu
Aloha! My name is Jing Liu. I am a student at Honolulu CC pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts, and my long-term goal is to transfer to UH Manoa to achieve a bachelor’s degree in Travel Industry Management. I have grown to love the life here and the spirit of ALOHA since immigrating to Hawaii. As a program participant, I am grateful for their support and services, and I even made the Dean’s list. Participating in the TRIO-SSS program and being employed as a Peer Tutor/Coach is an honor. I encourage new students to join TRIO as the program gives you a new path of support you never knew you needed.
Sean Miyasaka
Aloha, my name is Sean Miyasaka. Representing the TRIO-SSS program as your Peer Tutor/Coach is an honor. I’m a non-traditional sophomore at Honolulu CC pursuing an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts, with plans on obtaining my baccalaureate degree at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu. Additionally, earn Certificates in Substance Abuse and Addiction Studies and Substance Abuse Counseling. It is my hope and dream to utilize my knowledge and life experience to help others become a positive influence in our community. In my leisure time, I enjoy going to the gym, beach, hiking, and attending church at Inspire Honolulu. Through the TRIO program, I look forward to supporting participants through our program and making a positive impact here at HCC.
Brendan Namnama
My name is Brendan, and I am currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I serve as a Peer Tutor/Coach for the TRIO program and as a Tutor for the Math Lab. I enjoy surfing, spending time outdoors, and working on my cars in my free time. I started as a participant in the TRIO program and as a student at Honolulu CC, and now I work to support other program participants on their academic journeys.
Jospeh Tauanu’u
Aloha! I am Joey, a passionate student at Honolulu CC, and I am proud to serve as a Peer Coach in the TRIO-SSS program. Currently majoring in Administration of Justice with sights set on transferring to UH Manoa, I thrive on inspiring others. In my free time, I love immersing myself in music and exploring literature—from inspiring quotes and fashion to creativity and food. I wholeheartedly invite all students to join TRIO, as it offers incredible support and opportunities. I cannot wait to meet and connect with you all!
As an TRIO-SSS/HonCC student, you are very fortunate to be part of a higher education institution promoting academic success. What makes it even more special is that Hawai‘i in itself is a very culturally diverse State with lots of history, culture and language. Because of our diverse environment, the TRIO-SSS offers educational and cultural opportunities to our eligible participants. All Cultural and Educational Events are FREE to all active eligible TRIO-SSS students. If you are interested in attending any one of these events, please come in and sign up. All events are on a first-come first-served basis.
Federal Student Aid
Scholarships
Other Financial Literacy Links
The TRIO-SSS program offers a FREE Student Success course, Interdisciplinary Studies 103 (IS103), to accepted participants,
The design of this course is to provide information and techniques to develop self-determination, self-efficacy, and self-advocacy. Students will be better equipped with the necessary skills to navigate their academic, career, and life journey. Students will become knowledgeable of the various academic and student support resources that will help them to matriculate through college successfully.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this course will be able to:
- Use the concepts of accepting personal responsibility and interdependent behaviors to achieve academic and personal goals.
- Use college resources and policies to determine and implement academic decisions.
- Incorporate awareness of diversity and cultural differences to participate fully in college and community.
- Identify their learning styles.
- Identify their unique personality strengths and challenges.
- Identify and create 2-3 general goals (goal setting)
- Demonstrate the ability to identify personal triggers that may hinder one’s desired outcome.
- Identify and utilize self-motivation techniques (positive mindset)
- Understand the importance of networking in class, campus community, and workplace.
- Learn and apply various study and life skills strategies.
- Learn and develop career readiness and career confidence.
- Learn and improve critical thinking skills.
Course Activities
Course activities include but are not limited to the following:
- Students will complete a Learning Styles Inventory.
- Students will complete career assessment inventories, resume and cover letters, and job placements.
- Students will identify their own behaviors, thinking patterns, attitudes, and feelings related to self-awareness and critical thinking.
- Students will learn the importance of goal-setting models and motivational strategies that assist in the creation of short and long-term goals.
- Students will learn various strategies: communication, mindset, self-advocacy, financial literacy, communication, etc…
- Students will participate in various team activities and develop networking skills.
TRiO-SSS Related
To ensure student success, we are happy to provide our students with as many resources as needed to meet their academic, personal, career, and overall goals. Our inventory of resources is exclusive to our eligible participants.
Learning Style Inventory
The design of this is to help you become a more successful student. It includes a Learning Style Survey to help you identify your learning style. It also provides learning strategies that will help you study in a productive manner that matches your unique learning style.
Resource Library
Our library includes textbooks, resources related to self-help skills (mentoring, building self-confidence), careers related to different majors, resume writing, interview, cover letter guides, employment search, Computer, Math, English, English as a Second Language, essay writing, headphones, voice recorder, and calculators. In addition, we offer services related to assisting students with financial aid, scholarship search, and information regarding transfer and 4-year colleges/universities. To view our entire inventory, stop by our office, and we will be more than happy to review it with you.
How Do I Know I’m Eligible?
Honolulu Community College (51黑料) must be your home campus and be working towards earning a certificate or degree. Applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment at 51黑料; be a U.S. citizen or National of the United States or meet the requirements for federal student financial assistance; demonstrate academic need; have at least ONE of the following apply to you:
- You are a first-generation college student (neither parent nor guardian has a bachelor’s degree).
- You are “low-income” according to federal guidelines).
- You have a documented disability.
You Are Not Eligible If:
Due to the specific federal granting guidelines, you are not eligible for our program if:
- You do not meet at least ONE of the eligibility requirements mentioned in the “how do I know if I am eligible” question.
- 51黑料 is not your home campus
- Not working towards earning a certificate or degree
- If you are part of another TRIO-SSS program within the same fiscal year
- If you already have an associate’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional)
I Submitted A Program Application. When Can I Expect A Reply?
We will contact you via your school email and the current phone number you provided within one week of your submission.
Is There A Limit On The Number Of Students Accepted Into The Program?
TRIO-SSS enrollment is limited to only 160 students. Therefore, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Once we reach the capacity of 160 students, additional accepted students will be placed on a waitlist until a seat opens.
If I Have Been Accepted Into The Program, Do I Need To Reapply Each Year?
If you have been accepted into our TRIO-SSS Program here at 51黑料, you do not need to reapply each year. We encourage our participants to take an active role in the Program each year – please refer to ‘What are the Program Requirements Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about how to stay active in the Program.
What Are The Program Requirements?
Once a participant is accepted to the program, a TRIO-SSS staff member will work with you to develop your educational plan. Each participant is expected to take an active role in the TRIO-SSS Program. You must maintain your active status in order to receive program services. To be considered an active participant in the SSS Program, you must:
- Be admitted to the program.
- Complete the intake process (learning style inventory, financial literacy)
- Complete an Educational Plan every semester
- Sign a Program Participation Agreement.
- Meet regularly with the TRIO-SSS Staff to develop and maintain your Educational Plan
- Complete a program evaluation at the end of each semester of service.
What Services Do You Provide?
All services are provided at no cost to the participants.
Academic Support
- Academic Advising
- Peer and Staff Tutoring
- Priority Class Registration
- 4-Year College Transfer Advising
- Personal Support
Enrichment & Personal Development
- Peer Coaching
- Career Guidance
- College Success Course
- Student Success Workshops (iKEA Workshop Series)
- Cultural/Educational/Service-Learning Enrichment Activities
- Leadership Opportunities
- Educational Resources
Educational Resources
- Copy/Local Fax Access
- Financial Aid & Scholarship Search Assistance
- Financial Literacy Information
- Library Resources
See the video below to watch the same TRIO-SSS information again in video form.
Get in Touch
Trio Support Student Services (Trio-SSS)
Building 7, Room 320
Phone: (808) 844-2366
Hours: M–F, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Virtual appointments available
