Self Sufficiency Program

Thinking about college? Wondering where to start or restart your education journey?

Take your first step with the Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP)!

SSP is a free, pre-college program that helps participants explore academic and career interests and practice college-levelSS skills in a supportive setting. 

Offered each fall and spring semester, the 8 to 10-week evening class meets weekly on the UWL campus. Free childcare is available on-site.

SSP Fall 2026 and Spring 2027

The regular SSP session will not be offered for Fall 2026. However, if you are a parent with children in the La Crosse School District be sure to visit an SSP information table at the following:

2026 La Crosse School District Open Houses

• July 28th 5:30-7 pm Erickson Boys & Girls Club 1331 Clinton St.
• August 4th 9 am–12 pm and 1–5 pm La Crosse Center 300 Harborview Plaza
• August 11th 5:30–7 pm Mathy Center Boys & Girls Club 811 8th St S (Viterbo)
• August 17th 5-6:30 pm Hintgen Elementary 3505 28th St S
• August 17th 5-6:30 pm Northside Elementary 1611 Kane St
• August 18th 4:30-6:30 pm Hamilton Elementary/SOTA 1111 7th St S 

Summer Events

• Mid-August Northside Neighborhood Block Party (mid-August) 1010 Sill St. Trinity Lutheran Church

The Spring 2027 session of SSP start date is to be determined. It will meet weekly from 6-8 pm for 8 to 10 weeks.  Apply online now!

The Program

The purpose of SSP is to improve access to higher education for single-parents and other adults and help them prepare for college success.   

SSP has the following course goals:

• Familiarize students with college programs and options, applications and admissions procedures, and financial aid and scholarship opportunities at UWL, Viterbo University and Western Technical College. 
• Engage and support students in building skills in critical thinking, close-reading, reflective and academic writing, and math.
• Assist students in developing an individualized educational plan to reach their education and career goals.  

Upon completing SSP, students may be eligible for SSP's Locally Grown Scholarships to support their first semesters at UWL, Viterbo University, Western Technical College or other regional colleges.   

RGSS logoSSP is a community engagement program of the Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  

What's New at SSP?

We will welcome a new SSP Director this summer. Stay tuned for more information. 

We wish Andrea Hansen the best in her retirement. We thank her for her 16 years of dedication to SSP.

Andrea's last column:

The question, “Why do you want to go to college?” is part of SSP’s application. As expected, the applicant responses state the need for careers with higher incomes. Applicants understand that “degreeing-up” increases career options and life-time earnings. Most applicants are parents, and they always state the same underlying reason for seeking a degree. Simply put, they want a better life and future for their children. They know higher education has this two-generation effect. The children of parents who complete a degree are more likely to go to college themselves.

Beyond earning potential and providing for their children, SSP students answer the question, “Why college?” with eloquence and sincerity. They speak of belonging, engagement, one’s potential, expanding horizons, learning and growing, helping to meet community and societal needs:

• I know education is most important for my daughter and me to live a successful life.
• I just want to be educated and show my children you really can do anything.
• I want to turn my life around and use my potential positively.
• I need an education so I will be able to move forward in my life and in society.
• I’ve been a mom since I was 16 and lack the skills I need to be independent. I need to know that it will be ok to be on my own.
• As a mom, I’ve put my children's needs first. It’s time to expand my horizons. I have always loved school. I love to learn.
• My passion is to help those affected mental health and substance abuse issues. I also want to show my son that having a disability is not a barrier and a productive, meaningful life is possible.

Clearly, they believe that education will open doors to new understandings about themselves and the world. What’s more, they see education as a necessary social good, equipping and empowering people to solve problems and make life better for others. What a gift it is to have adult students in our classrooms, colleges, and communities!

Earning a degree is tough, even for the most motivated and capable students, and especially for parenting students. The Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP) exists to help adults develop academic skills, gather information and identify support resources to step confidently toward their goals.

SSP Helps Turn Dreams to Degrees!

For more information on parenting students, see: Who Are Undergraduates with Dependent Children?

Many thanks!The Self-Sufficiency Program administrators and the SSP Locally Grown Scholarship Fund committee are committed to a policy of providing equal opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, physical disability, mental disability, veterans status, or membership in the national guard, state defense force or any other reserve component of the military forces of the United States or this state.