Advantage-Trio Student Support at Reading Area Community College
Reading Area Community College runs the Advantage-Trio Program, which gives enrolled students advising, workshops and other help toward finishing a degree, transferring to a four-year college or moving into the workforce. It is federally funded through the TRIO Student Support Services grant, and the team works with students who are first-generation, low-income, or have a disability, and who need academic tools, strategies or support.
To take part you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, be an enrolled student at Reading Area Community College, and meet one of three conditions: you are a first-generation college student, meaning a parent or guardian has not obtained a four-year degree; your income falls within the federal government's eligible income levels; or you are a person with a documented physical or mental disability.
Students get a personalized approach from the Advantage-Trio team, covering educational planning, financial literacy and career exploration. The team holds advising appointments and meetings throughout each semester and hosts targeted workshops, educational and cultural events, and trips. Depending on funding, the program also provides scholarships for qualified students, transportation bus passes, Raven's Cafe vouchers, and tickets to Miller Center for the Arts events. Services are extended to each student for up to 4 years, which is federally mandated.
The next step is to complete an application, either by scanning the QR code on the program's web page or by using the application link there. After that, students attend a first appointment with a Support Services Specialist, sign a Rights and Responsibility form, and complete MAPS. Each semester students schedule and attend advising and coaching sessions with their Student Support Specialist and follow their plans for success. Students also need to stay in good standing with the college, meaning an academic GPA of 2.0 or higher and no discipline actions, and to attend the workshops and events offered.
The college is at 10 South Second Street, Reading, PA 19602, and the main number is 610-372-4721. The page lists an Advantage-Trio staff contact section but does not give the program's own phone number, office hours or any cost, so ask the college about those when you apply.
Source: racc.edu/services/advantage-program, read September 18, 2026.
The details
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Permanent Resident, be an enrolled student at Reading Area Community College, and meet one of the following: be a "first-generation" college student (parent or guardian has not obtained a four-year degree) have an income eligibility, as determined by the Federal Government guidelines: Eligible income levels be a person with a documented physical or mental disability
In Reading Area Community College’s words
The RACC Advantage-Trio Program is federally-funded through the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Grant. By virtue of this grant program, RACC Advantage-Trio team is committed to serve students who are: first-generation, low-income, disabled, and have the need for academic tools, strategies or support. TRIO Student Support Services Programs are located at over 1000 colleges nation-wide. All TRIO programs seek to enhance students' experience through academic skill building, goal attainment,…
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Reading Area Community College
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This listing summarizes publicly available information from racc.edu/services/advantage-program. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.