The SUCCESS program is a series of interactive computer programs designed to enhance student empowerment by allowing entering college freshmen to use computers in an environment of personal control and autonomy. To determine the effect of SUCCESS programs on students' perceived locus of control and empowerment, a study was conducted at New York's Bronx Community College of two entering freshmen classes in fall 1995 (n=35). The experimental class received six SUCCESS assignments over 14 weeks related to basic college survival information and calculations of grade point averages and financial aid data. Students worked in pairs or triads and three tutors were available to assist in lab work. The Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control Scale was administered to both groups at the beginning and again at the end of their first semester to determine differences in student sense of power versus helplessness, persistence with parents in achieving goals, and perception of luck as a determinant in obtaining goals. Comparison of pre- and post-test scores for both groups indicated that students who completed the SUCCESS assignments did not shift significantly with respect to overall perceived control of reinforcement and there were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups' sense of persistence with parents. The SUCCESS students did however perceive luck as having a considerably lesser effect on the attainment of desired outcomes than the control group. Contains 16 references. (TGI)