Flickr user UC Davis College of Engineering
Key Takeaways:
- The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program provides resources to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Projects can include academic advising, scholarships, FAFSA assistance, mentoring programs, and more.
- Students can apply for a SSS program by visiting their school’s website or contacting their financial aid office.
Student Support Services is one of the programs under the TRIO Program umbrella offered by the US federal government, designed to help students from low-income households and other disadvantaged students navigate, pay for, and graduate from college. Depending on the school, the SSS program can offer mentoring, tutoring, temporary housing, grants, and more to qualifying individuals. Here’s a look at how it works, who can participate, and how you can answer the TRIO student aid application.
What is TRIO?
The Federal TRIO programs are eight programs dedicated to identifying and providing services for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as low-income, first generation, and individuals with disabilities. The eight programs are Student Support Services, Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs Staff, Upward Bound, Talent Search, Veterans Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement, and Educational Opportunity Centers.
What are Student Support Services?
Colleges and other higher education institutions participate in the Student Support Services program (SSS) to “provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education.”
Funded by federal grants, participating colleges then offer various projects, such as:
- Academic tutoring in various subjects
- Assistance with course selection
- Help with financial aid resources and identifying scholarships
- Counseling services for financial and economic literacy
- Assistance with applications to graduate and professional schools and transfers to 4-year schools
- Personal and career counseling
- Cultural events and enrichment activities
- Temporary housing
- Mentoring programs
- Employment opportunities
- Scholarships
- School tours
- Leadership opportunities
- Dedicated computer and study labs
- Device loan programs
Program availability depends on the school.
The SSS program is similar to the Education Opportunity Centers (EOC), which also helps students become more educated about their finances, courses, and college requirements.
Who can participate in the Student Support Services Program?
All of the TRIO programs are directed towards helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and at least two-thirds of those participating need to be identified as such. Requirements depend on the school, and some only allow first-generation students, those from, low-income households, and/or those with disabilities.
Students may also qualify for grant aid, especially if they already receive the Federal Pell Grant, but this aid tends to be for freshmen and sophomores first. Some older students may qualify for the grant under certain circumstances, such as if they are in danger of dropping out of college if the assistance is not received.
How to apply to Trio Student Support Services
Participation is free, but you need to apply to TRIO programs in order to enroll. Students can find applications on their schools’ TRIO or SSS websites pages. Exact questions and application forms depend on the college, but you might be asked to supply:
- Personal and family details
- Income information
- Past participation in TRIO programs
- First-generation student status
- Documented disabilities
- Academic goals, needs, and challenges
- Services that would best assist you
- Tutoring needs
- Personal statements
The Student Support Services program can be a valuable asset to ensuring you remain in good academic standing while in college, help you understand your financial options, and get access to services that will help you graduate with your degree. Talk to your college’s student affairs, SSS, or financial aid departments for more information about required qualifications and applications.
Use College Raptor to discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid for schools around the US—for FREE!
