Breaking Barriers: How SCC’s SOAR Program Helps Students Cross the Finish Line
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For many students, the path to graduation is filled with challenges—financial burdens, academic struggles, and personal setbacks that make completing a degree seem out of reach. Spartanburg Community College (SCC) understands that success isn’t just about enrolling students—it’s about helping them stay enrolled and graduate.
That’s where Students Overcoming Academic Roadblocks (SOAR) comes in. This degree completion initiative is designed for students who are at risk of stopping their studies due to financial hardships or other obstacles. Through academic coaching, financial assistance, and career development opportunities, SOAR provides the critical support students need to stay on track and graduate.
Spartanburg Community College (SCC)
What is SOAR?
Powered by Movement 2030, SOAR is an evidence-based pilot program modeled after similar successful initiatives at West Virginia Community Colleges. The goal is simple: help students finish what they started.
With a target of enrolling 60 students, SOAR addresses common barriers—such as tuition gaps, lack of academic support, and career readiness needs—to ensure students complete their degrees and successfully transition into the workforc
How SOAR Works
SOAR takes a three-pronged approach to student success:
1. Academic & Personal Support – Students are assigned a dedicated SOAR advisor and success coach who works with them until graduation. Frequent, proactive check-ins ensure students stay on track.
2. Financial Assistance – SOAR reduces financial barriers by providing:
a. Tuition waivers for students with small financial aid gaps.
b. Textbook stipends ($200 per semester).
c. Monthly incentives to encourage program engagement.
d. Assistance with outstanding balances (up to $1,000).
3. Career Readiness – Students must complete at least one career development activity per semester, including:
a. Mock interviews
b. Resume and cover letter development
c. Career fairs and networking events
d. Job shadowing or internships
This comprehensive support system not only helps students graduate but also prepares them for success beyond SCC.
Proven Results: The Impact of SOAR
In its first semester (Fall 2024), SOAR enrolled 24 students, and the results speak for themselves:
- 66% of participants saw an increase in GPA
- 25% maintained their GPA
- 25% graduated
- 50% reenrolled for the next semester
- 25% did not reenroll, but many plan to return
For students who might have otherwise dropped out, SOAR has provided the stability, resources, and motivation to continue their education.
“SOAR is the answer to prayers here at SCC. I have gained more confidence and less financial strain with SOAR! Thank you SOAR!” said an SCC student who has benefited from the initiative.
A Lifeline for Students Who Need It Most
Jennifer Jacobs, Success Coach Coordinator at SCC, explained why SOAR is making such a difference, saying, “While SOAR is primarily about finishing school—it’s also about creating opportunities for students who have fallen between the cracks. SOAR provides help for students who often cannot find help elsewhere; the very students most at risk of not finishing school. It breaks down the financial barriers that stand between students and their educational goals. We are so thankful to have this tool to ensure that all SCC students have the chance to reach their full potential, no matter their financial situation.”
SOAR is not just a program—it’s a lifeline for students who need extra support to reach graduation.
Witney Fisher, Dean of Student Success, further emphasizes the program’s impact saying, “Student success and retention are at the heart of what we at SCC hold as a core value. As educators, it is important for us to keep in mind the basic foundational needs of our students. If they have stressors such as concerns related to paying their bills, childcare, and buying groceries, it will be impossible for them to focus on what is needed to be a successful college student. The SOAR program provides financial assistance which allows a student to more easily focus on their coursework and cross the finish line to graduation.”
Who is Eligible for SOAR?
SOAR is designed for students who have completed at least 30 credit hours (or 70% of their program requirements) but are struggling to finish. To qualify, students must:
- Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours
- Submit the FAFSA (SOAR funding is applied after all other financial aid sources)
- Complete an Interest Form on SCC’s website
- Meet with a success coach for enrollment
- Sign an acknowledgment form agreeing to program expectations
Each student is assigned a support level based on their academic and personal circumstances:
· High Support: Frequent advising and tutoring for students on academic probation or struggling with personal challenges.
· Medium Support: Monthly check-ins for students progressing but needing guidance.
· Low Support: Semester check-ins for students with strong academic standing.
This customized support ensures that each student receives the right level of assistance to help them graduate.
By keeping students enrolled and on track to graduate, SOAR strengthens SCC’s mission to build a skilled workforce and empower students to achieve their career goals.
Many students don’t stop attending college because they want to—they stop because they have no other choice. SOAR helps eliminate these barriers, so students not only start college—they finish it.
How to Get Involved
If you or someone you know could benefit from SOAR, here’s how to apply:
- Check eligibility requirements
- Complete the Interest Form on SCC’s website.
- Meet with a success coach to finalize enrollment.
With SOAR, students don’t just dream of graduation—they achieve it. For more information, visit myscc.info/FinishYourDegree.