Our Mission
The mission of Student Support Services at Ocean County College is to assist and encourage first-generation college students, income-eligible college students, and/or college students with disabilities through the completion of a credential. We operate in a holistic, inclusive, and collaborative environment while delivering services that will immerse students in a challenging and engaging student experience. SSS emboldens students to be self-driven; to discover their own barriers, seek out solutions, and develop a positive mindset in their journey toward success.
Eligibility Requirements
Do you meet any of these eligibility requirements?
- You are a first generation student*
- You meet federal income guidelines, found on the U.S. Department of Education website
- You are a student with a disability
- You have an academic need (placed into developmental math and/or English, GPA less than 2.5, struggling to pass courses, recommended to SSS by a faculty or staff members, high rate of F & W grades)
- “You are a citizen or national of the United States or meet the residency requirements for Federal student financial assistance”
* First Generation: parents/guardians did not complete a bachelor’s degree or whose primary custodial parent/guardian did not complete a bachelor’s degree.
Free Program Advantages
Free Program Advantages:
- One-On-One Professional Tutoring
- Academic Planning & Advising—for transfer to a 4-year institution and/or career
- Academic Coaching—keeping you motivated to reach your goals
- Financial Literacy Education—to help you make smart, financial decisions
- Social Engagement & Leadership Development—attend trips and conferences to discover your purpose and build your network
Academic Coaching
Academic Coaching:
All SSS Scholars should have a preliminary meeting with the SSS Academic Coach (Barbara McCormack) to take/review LASSI and to determine their need for academic coaching/set appointments for the semester.
Academic Advising
Academic Advising:
- All SSS Scholars MUST meet with their SSS Academic Advisor (Briana Cerbone) before registering for classes.
- You must also contact Briana BEFORE making any changes to your class schedule (drop/add/withdrawal)
- Advising for summer semesters is currently underway
- Advising for the 2024FA semester is anticipated to begin end of March or early April.
- SSS Priority Registration for 2024SP is scheduled to begin mid-April.
- Watch your text messages & emails for more info. Please schedule your appts with Briana early as
- her calendar will fill quickly!
TRiO Activities
Unless otherwise noted, Ocean County College Student Support Services (SSS) events and activities are only open to SSS participants.
All Activities noted with (*) fulfill a requirement of the Student Support Services program.
WE HAVE MOVED!! New location in ADMN building (#1) Room 112
Sign-ups for all events are located in the SSS Main Office (R113) – please see Kate Moreno, kmoreno@ocean.edu
Trips, Workshops, and Events are posted on the bulletin boards in the SSS Community Room, SSS Tutoring Room & SSS Main Office
SSS Email: studentsupportservices@ocean.edu
SSS Phone: 732-255-0539
SSS Text: 833-501-3100 – You must opt-in to send and receive text messages
Spring 2025 Events
(All SSS Students must attend one Financial Literacy event prior to graduation) *
Game of Life – An interactive “game” to help you learn the importance of making smart financial decisions.
We do offer a remote online option that must be completed by passing a quiz with 80% or better. Please contact SSS Office if you need the link
TRIO Grant Aid – *By invitation only*
*By invitation only* – Students must be eligible for AND receive a federal PELL grant to be eligible for the SSS grant. You will receive a text/email inviting you to attend a session. Learn how you may be eligible and can apply for approximately $800.00* in tuition aid. (*Final award will be based in YOUR federal PELL award*) – Other dates may be added at the Director’s discretion
| Remote: https://ocean.webex.com/meet/anoone |
| SSS STAFF: Alison |
For more information, contact our office:
Direct Phone: 732-255-0539
Email: studentsupportservices@ocean.edu
* (All SSS Students must attend one Get Connected Event prior to graduation) – All are held in the SSS Community Room unless specifically noted with the event.
- Wednesday, April 16, 2025 – Vision Boards – 9:30 – 11:00 & 12:00 – 1:30 PM (w/Helen)
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – Planted in Success – 10:30-11:30 AM (w/Barb)
SSS STAFF: Helen & Alison
Financial Aid Workshops: SSS Workshop Room – With SSS Staff (Helen)
Create an FSA ID – This is the login information for self and parents to complete/contribute to the FAFSA
- Wednesday, March 26, 2025 – 5:00-6:00 PM – parents welcome to attend this session
| 24/25 FAFSA – Will need 2022 tax info for self & parent(s) | Will be held by INDIVIDUAL APPT ONLY – Appts. will be with Helen |
| 25/26 FAFSA – Will need 2023 tax info for self & parent(s) | Will be held by INDIVIDUAL APPT ONLY – Appts. will be with Helen |
OPEN Workshop (with reps from the Financial Aid Office) You MUST register to attend – Register today! 5:00-7:00 PM in Building #10
(Search for the event to register)
Don’t forget to have a staff member sign to get credit for Supplemental Aid Applications
- March – 5, 11, 19, 27
- April – 2, 8, 16, 24, 30
- May – 6, 14, 20, 28
- June – 5, 11, 17, 25
Career Workshops: SSS Community Room – Food will be provided!
Get the basics on how to write a resume so you stand out & learn about common interview questions, what your body language says about you & dress for success!
- Interview 101 – Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – 12:30-1:30 PM
SSS STAFF: Helen
Transfer Workshops: SSS Community Room – Food will be provided
(only 1 session offered this semester)
- Wednesday, March 26, 2025 – 12:30-1:30 PM
SSS Staff: Briana
* By invitation only* – Class of 2025 (Fall & Spring TRIO graduates)
Join us and other OCC Staff to celebrate your success and get some words of wisdom for success in your future!
- Thursday, May 15, 2025 – 12:00-2:00 PM – Larson Student Center
(Bldg. 8 – 2nd floor)
College Visits:
- Rowan University – Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM (9:45am Arrival)
- Rider University – Friday, April 11, 2025 – (10:00 AM Arrival)
- Kean-Ocean – DATE TBD – (10:00 AM Arrival)
Social & Educational Trips/Events:
Watch text/email announcements for more trip info!
Student Life Trips:
Check the bulletin board in the SSS Community Room & watch for texts & emails for more Student Life trip info.
Met Museum in NYC – Sat. April 12, 2025 – There is a waitlist!
SSS Trips – Day Trips to pique your interests and learn something while having fun! Socialize & connect with other SSS students and build your support community!
Check bulletin board in SSS Community Room & watch for texts & emails for more trip info
- Best of NYC Sightseeing Cruise – Friday, May 2, 2025 – 9:45AM – 6:00-PM
SSS Staff: Various
TED Talk Tuesdays: SSS Community Room – 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month – 12 PM – Usually less than 30 minutes.
| Date | Topic |
| 4/1/2025 | “The Surprising Science of Happiness” Dan Gilbert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q1dgn_C0AU |
| 4/15/2025 | “How to Motivate Yourself to Change Your Behavior” Tali Sharot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp0O2vi8DX4 |
Theatrical Thursdays – SSS Community Room – 8:30AM – 4:30PM – Stop in for a bit or stay for a movie!
Don’t forget to sign in on the board under “Now Showing”
Date / Movie
- 3/27 – Take Me Out to the Ballgame
- 4/3 – Let’s Reboot That
- 4/10 – Well that took a while
- 4/17 – But wait, there’s more…
- 4/24 – Ogres Have Layers
- 5/1 – Thrilling Thursday
- 5/8 – Thorsday – Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder
SSS Staff: Helen
SSS Community Room – w/Payton
Learn how and where to look for scholarships and then learn the steps to write a good essay!
- Wednesday, April 2, 2025 – 2:30-3:30 PM
Couponing Workshop: SSS Community Room –w/Helen
How to use a sales circular to guide your shopping, build a menu based on sales, and match coupons to make your $$ stretch!
- Thursday, April 17, 2025 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
A Look Ahead: to the summer and fall
- Monthly Workshop Offerings – Fall 2025
- Cultural, Educational, & Social Events and Activities – Fall 2025
- College Visits – Fall 2025 (Dates TBD)
- Kean-Ocean
- Stockton
- Montclair
- Exciting Cultural/Educational Trips
- Day trips w/SSS & Student Life
- Summer Orientation/Welcome Back Event
- Motivational Speakers
- Summer Bridge to Success Programs
- English & Math (SAVE THE DATES: Aug 5th &7th)
Important Academic Information
TRIO-GRANT AID Applications: will be due to the SSS Office no later than 4:30 PM on Friday, April 25, 2025 – no exceptions will be made.
- Please ensure the application is completed in full and is legible PRIOR to submission. We must be able to read you application.
- All requirements must be satisfied to be eligible
- Regular Academic Advising/Grad Review appointments DO NOT count towards your 5 required activities
- Please speak with Alison if there is a documented extenuating circumstance that would prevent you from completing a required activity. We CANNOT offer any potential accommodations unless you communicate PRIOR to application submission.
- SSS staff will not verify information on application prior to its submission
- It is YOUR responsibility to ensure accuracy and thoroughness. Make sure you get staff signatures/initials if they are needed to verify your attendance at an event.
- If you are unsure if an event can be used to satisfy a requirement, just ask!! Attendance verification will need to be attached.
Academic Advising:
- All SSS Scholars MUST meet with their SSS Academic Advisor (Briana Cerbone) BEFORE registering for classes.
You MUST also contact & meet with Briana BEFORE making any changes to your class schedule (drop/add/withdrawal) - Advising for the 2025FA semester will begin April 2, 2025 – don’t wait to schedule your advising appointment! Briana’s calendar is filling quickly!!
- SSS Priority Registration for 2025FA will begin on
April 2, 2025. - Summer advising and registration is ongoing – don’t wait to schedule your appointment!!
- Watch your text messages & emails for specific information. Please schedule your appointments with Briana early!!
Academic Coaching:
- All SSS Scholars should have a preliminary meeting with the SSS Academic Coach (Barbara McCormack) to take/review LASSI and to determine their need to academic coaching/set appointments for the semester.
Student Support Services Club
The Student Support Service Club, open to all OCC students, is tailored specifically for participants in the SSS Program. The purpose of the club is to emphasize the attainment of leadership skills, attain a sense of community and connectedness, as well as provide opportunities for community involvement and outreach.
For more information:
The Student Support Services office is located in:
The Administration Building #1
Our office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Evening & late hours by appointment only.
Program staff can be reached by:
Direct Phone: 732-255-0539
Email: studentsupportservices@ocean.edu
SSS Office Staff
Alison Noone
Student Support Services Director
732-255-0400 ext. 2138
anoone@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 116
Helen Konz
Student Support Services Coordinator
732-255-0400 x2373
hkonz@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 118
Kate Moreno
Student Support Services Technician
732-255-0400 x7027
kmoreno@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 112
Briana Cerbone
Student Support Services Specialist
732-255-0400 x 2352
bcerbone@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 117
Barbara McCormack
Student Support Services Academic Coach
732-255-0400 x2228
bmccormack@ocean.edu
ADMN Bldg. (#1) Room 121