Hannah Taua's TRiO SSS Success Story

I am a nontraditional student. On campus I am an individual amongst many who share a common goal. My name is Hannah Taua. I’m on my last lap here at Windward community College in the long distance run to obtain a professional degree. It’s so easy for a student like me to get lost within the system and forgotten.  After all I am just one in a sea of many.

With these truths how can a mother of five, like myself or any parent for that matter, go back to school with no direction of where to begin? Where do we gain the confidence to attend when it’s been years since he/she has been in a learning environment? And how can one manage school life when managing his/her own and that of their families is a full time job?

Coming from that type of situation, returning to school can be overwhelming and even make one feel discouraged. I know because that is exactly how I felt. Stuck in a dead-end job which was harmful to my health, barely being able to support the family I had at a young age and hardly any assurance that I could make it in school. I always felt a little beat when the idea of returning would come about. I took a leap of faith and fell into the arms of a program that became my guardian angel of college.

It is the support of the TRIO program that helps so many like myself. TRiO is the cornerstone for all disadvantage students to obtain their pursuit of the American dream. TRiO is more than a program but a service and true to the word.

 I was able to receive free tutoring something I would never be able to afford on my own and to be honest I never knew they had it in college. Tutoring is absolutely vital to someone who hasn’t been in school for a long time.  I too had gotten help with my financial aid needs. Most students can agree that applying for FASFA and scholarships can be nerve racking. Something of such importance only adds to the pressures of school life. That being said, I was constantly notified and offered assistance with all my financial aid needs. That alone gave me much comfort and one less worry.  I also get access to the basics needed to get my work done like computers, printers, Xerox and sometimes they may have loaner books available. There is no way I can meet the expenses of these things on my own; one needs to keep in mind that in college these are essential.  Furthermore, I took advantage of the counseling offered. I had gotten guidance in class selection for each semester, my career choice and campus resources/ activities. I was given the direction I needed to manage my school career, the pat on the back that I so needed when times got rough which was a good dose of encouragement to my confidence and I am not one of many there, I am Hannah an individual in need of support.

I am treated not as a number but a person who deserves to attain a degree(s).  The attitude and tone of the TRiO services is unsaid but clear, let us help you get what we know you can achieve. I am achieving my goals and a huge part of my success comes from the aid I receive in TRiO.

TRiO is one of the governments finest programs set in educational system which becomes a positive ripple effect of success in society. It’s sad to know that the decreases in funds available for TRiO really means, cut backs to the well-deserved student in need.  Please consider my story and that of all those who benefit from such a wonderful service and reevaluate the situation of funds.