Student Support Services: Educational Programs On Campus To Assist Students

Going to college can come with substantial changes. You may find yourself living on your own for the first time, navigating complex social dynamics and academically rigorous classes, and managing your own finances. These responsibilities can be a lot to handle. 

Many colleges provide a range of support services for their students to ease the college transition and maximize their time on campus. Understanding which resources are available can make your college experience as smooth as possible. If mental health challenges make it challenging to achieve your goals, consider working with a licensed therapist on campus or online.

College student support services: financial aid, mental health and counseling services, and campus life offices

Below, learn about several of the support services offered on most college campuses.

Financial aid office

The financial aid office might not be what first comes to mind when you think about student support services programs. However, financial stress can be a large contributor to overall anxiety levels for college students, and your institution’s financial aid office can relieve some of that tension. 

The financial aid office may connect students to scholarships and grants of which they may not be aware. It can also assist students in navigating the bureaucracy of student loans and government education funding, so students can better understand exactly what the cost of their college educational programs will be. 

Mental health and counseling services

Most colleges and universities have on-campus counseling centers to address what the American Psychological Association refers to as a “crisis” in college student mental health. 

Although these centers often have long waitlists for appointments, they are typically free for students to use and employ counselors who specialize in mental health concerns common among college students. These concerns generally include anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma recovery, relationship issues, and stress related to academic and financial pressures.   

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

Campus life offices

Campus life offices are usually dedicated to creating a vibrant campus community where all students can be connected and engaged. They may include residence halls, student government, campus events planning, support for student clubs and organizations, and fraternity and sorority life. 

While you may not think of these offices as places to go for receiving academic support or help through a difficult time, they can be essential components of creating a thriving community on campus. Studies show that people who are connected to others and have a strong social support system usually experience higher levels of overall well-being, so a sense of campus community can be vital to college student success. 

Support services for specific groups of students

Many college campuses provide support offices for particular groups of students that research shows tend to be more likely to experience challenges in college. These groups include the following:

• Students with disabilities
• Students who are veterans, active duty, or otherwise military-connected
• Graduate students
• Students who are the first in their family to attend college (also known as first-generation college students)
• Students with children
• International students
• Students who are immigrants or refugees
• Female students
• LGBTQIA+ students
• BIPOC students

TRiO programs to help when a college student needs extra support

TRiO refers to a federally funded program, also known as the Student Support Services (SSS) program, that provides additional support for college students from particular backgrounds. TRiO is not an acronym but rather refers to the fact that when the program started, it had three original focus areas.  

If you are a student with a disability, a student from a low-income household, or a first-generation college student, you may qualify to receive support through TRiO. 

Participants in TRiO can receive academic tutoring and training in specific areas, like study skills, to help them graduate. TRiO offices can connect students to other resources on campus and provide a space for students with similar challenges to connect with each other. 

Benefits of student support services in higher education 

Taking advantage of the student support services at your school can have several benefits.

Graduation rates and completing your education

Support services can help students work through difficult times and overcome hurdles that may have otherwise led them to drop out of school. One of the most effective ways to help students graduate can involve supporting them from the beginning to the end of their college experience. Support services can help students apply to college, attend orientation, choose their classes, plan their careers, practice for job interviews, and apply to graduate school.   

Student support services and professional development

Many student support services can help students not only get through college, but also develop the skills necessary to enter the workforce after graduation. This development can happen through offices like the Career Services Center, which can help students with their resumes and conduct mock interviews. 

Professional development can also occur in other areas that may be less obvious, like campus life offices that provide a training ground for students to develop leadership, time management, and organization skills. 

How to access student support services on campus

Many student support services are housed under the banner of what is commonly called “student affairs” on college campuses. To find a specific service, you can look up the Division of Student Affairs on your campus website or ask people at your Student Center information desk. Orientation guides, resident advisors, professors, and faculty can also be good resources for connecting to campus services. 

Resources for student support

If you are having a difficult time connecting with the various support options available on your campus, you can also find support elsewhere.

• Online therapy: If your campus counseling center has a long waitlist, online therapy through accredited services like BetterHelp could be an alternative option. With BetterHelp, you can browse a database of thousands of therapists and be matched with one within 48 hours. 
• National organizations: The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) provides several educational resources on mental health and often supports student groups on campus (check to see if your college has a local chapter!). 
• Crisis helplines: The 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available for immediate support. 

Benefits of online therapy for students

Sometimes, you may not be able to wait weeks or months for mental health support. If your college counseling center has long wait times, online therapy could be a quick and convenient way to access mental health care. 

Research has found that attending therapy online may have just as much of a positive impact on your mental health as attending traditional in-person therapy. A 2020 study examined the effects of different therapy options on symptoms of anxiety and depression, two mental health conditions that can be common among college students. It found that online therapy and in-person therapy typically had similar outcomes.