The Student Support Services (SSS) Program at GSCC is designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of eligible students, to facilitate their transfer to other institutions, and to foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of low-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in GSCC programs. The SSS program consists of the following components: personal and academic counseling, academic advisement and assistance in course selection, enrichment seminars, cultural events, mentoring, career awareness, study skills, services for the disabled, transfer advisement, and tutorial services.

In order to participate in the SSS program, which serves three hundred GSCC students, the student must apply to be a program beneficiary and must be accepted under the applicable eligibility criteria.

In addition, if a student has one or more disabilities, and if he/she meets the academic and technical standards for admission to and/or participation in the College’s educational program, and if accommodations are needed under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the student MUST make timely application for services through the SSS program. In order for the SSS program to satisfy needs of a student with a disability, he/she must voluntarily disclose information, which will be kept confidential, regarding the nature and the extent of the condition or disability, and he/she must follow the prescribed procedure for acquiring the services and accommodations that are needed. The student must provide access to medical, educational, psychological, or other information necessary for College personnel to assess the need for auxiliary aids. Because the SSS staff must have time to assess needs and to make arrangements for appropriate services and/or accommodations, the student must make the request as soon as he/she is admitted to allow sufficient time for the staff to work efficiently. The College does not assume responsibility for providing special accommodations and services for disabilities if the student has not identified him/herself as being disabled and/or if the student has not made needs known in a timely manner.

For more information about the eligibility criteria, the application procedure, and the types of services and accommodations available, contact Student Support Services, 213 Inzer Hall, Wallace Drive Campus, (256) 549-8208. Student Support Services, one of the College's TRIO programs, is totally funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Persons with hearing impairments can telephone Gadsden State Community College via any of the following three numbers: (256) 549-8398, which is the GSCC TDD number; 1-800-548-2547, which is the Alabama Relay Center (Voice) number; and 1-800-548-2546, which is the Alabama Relay Center (TDD) number.