On July 14, 2015, Ozarka College received notification that the current TRiO Student Support Services federal grant was funded for an additional five years. Through this federally funded grant program, Ozarka College offers services for many of its students. TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) provides academic, financial and personal support to eligible students at Ozarka College to assist them with their educational endeavors.

The services offered by Ozarka College's SSS program include the following: academic advising, academic coaching, financial and economic literacy assistance, information on chosen educational major and career choices, aptitude and interest inventories, transfer scholarship information, tours of four-year colleges and universities, help with admissions, financial aid and faculty advisors at other institutions, individual and group peer tutoring, technology training, informational workshops, and cultural events and trips.  

Eligibility for SSS is established through the U.S. Department of Education. Students applying for the program must meet one of the following qualifications: meet low-income guidelines, be a first-generation college student, or be an individual with a documented disability. Program participants must also be pursing an associate's degree, be enrolled in a transferrable program, or working toward an eventual four-year degree.   Additionally, participants must be a U.S. citizen or meet residency requirements.


Ozarka College currently has four staff members in the SSS Department. Deltha Shell is the Program Director, Tracy Cone is the Academic Services Coordinator, Bryan Jeffery is the Transfer Specialist, and Shelia Titus is the Administrative Assistant. They have offices located at each of Ozarka College's four campus locations in Melbourne, Ash Flat, Mammoth Spring and Mountain View. On the Melbourne campus, the SSS Department is housed in the new Student Services Center, located in the heart of campus. Additionally, the program employs several part-time peer and professional tutors who provide academic and study skill assistance to participants.

The SSS department has several activities planned for this academic year including leadership training, student panel discussion, financial literacy programming, several transfer trips, and a variety of cultural events.

Currently, SSS is processing new applicants. Any Ozarka College student who meets the eligibility requirements is encouraged to apply. For more information, please call TRiO Student Support Services at 870.368.2036 or email: trio@ozarka.edu