TOMS RIVER, NJ — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Ocean County College a second federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant totaling $1.3 million, specifically dedicated to enhancing support for students with disabilities.
The award expands Ocean County College’s established commitment to student success through the TRIO SSS program, which serves low-income students, first-generation students and students with disabilities through individualized services and personalized support. These services, which include academic tutoring, financial aid, scholarship guidance, career exploration, personal and academic counseling and mentoring, make it significantly more likely that students will complete their degree or successfully transfer with the lowest possible debt.
The TRIO SSS program at Ocean County College has been on the OCC campus for more than 15 years, and was re-funded with $1.3 million for another five-year grant cycle in September 2025. The additional $1.3 million grant will enable OCC to help students with disabilities navigate challenges, stay on track, and successfully graduate or transfer while keeping student debt as low as possible.
“This second grant allows Ocean County College to deepen our commitment to ensuring that all students—regardless of background—can thrive academically and personally,” said Dr. Alison Noone, Director of TRIO Programs. “Student Support Services helps level the playing field and equips our students with the tools and confidence to graduate and lead.”
Nationally, the SSS program has a proven track record. According to a rigorous 2019 evaluation by the U.S. Department of Education, students in SSS at two-year institutions were 48% more likely to earn an associate’s degree or transfer to a four-year school, and students at four-year institutions were 18% more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree compared to similar peers not in the program.
For more information about TRIO Student Support Services at Ocean County College, please visit go.ocean.edu/SSS or contact Dr. Noone at anoone@ocean.edu.
About Ocean County College
For 60 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that empower diverse learners to achieve their goals while enriching the communities we serve. Learn more at ocean.edu.