What Is TRIO-Student Support Service?
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
Promoting academic and personal growth through comprehensive support and genuine care.
Welcome!
Welcome to TRIO- Student Support Services!
For many of our students, TRIO-SSS becomes a home away from home. We're more than a program - we're a partnership dedicated to your academic success, personal growth, and journey to graduation. Born out of the Civil Rights-era Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, TRIO programs were among the first national initiatives to address systemic barriers to higher education. Today, TRIO encompasses three core services: SSS (our program), Upward Bound, and Talent Search - together serving students from middle school through college graduation.
While the University offers many wonderful resources, TRIO-SSS provides personalized, long-term support specifically for first-generation college students, low-income students, and students with disabilities. At UM, we've been delivering this mission for nearly 60 years!
TRIO-SSS is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Education, and there are 15 TRIO-SSS programs in Montana. As well as, nearly 1200 across the U.S. and its territories.
Why TRIO:
- Bachelor's degree holders earn $1.2M more over their lifetime than high school graduates
- TRIO students are 3x more likely to complete college than low-income peers not in TRIO
- Nationally proven model TRIO SSS programs show 85% persistence rates (students continuing year-to-year)
- 375 students served annually at UM through our $504,749 federal grant
- Closes achievement gaps by providing wrap-around support: TRIO serves populations with historically lower graduation rates
How do WE TRIO?
Our exclusive service we offer to our active participants include:
- ✓ Personal, One-on-one academic & career advising
- ✓ Free textbook & technology loans
- ✓ FAFSA & financial aid guidance
- ✓ Tutoring & graduate school prep
- ✓ Graduation fee waivers & free cap/gown rentals
- ✓ Sense of Community, fun events and learning workshops!
For a more inept look at our service click here
TRIO SSS at the 91次元 is also a proud affiliate partner with Aspire and its Montana Chapter; the Council for Opportunity in Education. As well as, the Montana College Attainment Network. Find out more about our partners below!
Welcome to TRIO Student Support Services!
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TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is an educational grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program was created to assist students who are first-generation, low-income, and/or disabled successfully graduate from a 4-year undergraduate program.聽
To that end, TRIO provides a wide array of academic and advisory services to students as we support them through their time at UM. Some of our services include:
- Academic advising
- FAFSA assistance
- One-on-one tutoring
- Peer mentorship programs
- Computer lab and printer access
- Academic and professional workshops
- Textbook & technology loan programs
- Four courses taught by TRIO staff for TRIO students exclusively
- Includes a Learning Strategies class (COLS 160) and a College & Career Success course (COLS 391)
More information is available on our dedicated聽Services page. All of our services are provided for free to enrolled TRIO participants, and there is no limit to how often they can access the programs, advising, and assistance we offer.
We provide assistance to 375 active students every year, and have been a part of UM's student services since 1979. Our students come from every academic department on campus and from all walks of life.聽
You can read more about TRIO's eligibility requirements, as well as find our application, on our聽Eligibility & Application Page.
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TRIO SSS employs five staff and 15-20 student employees.
The six current project staff members are:聽
- Dan Benge, Director
- Janet Zupan, Advising Coordinator/Instructor
- Peter Donaldson, Advisor/Tutor Coordinator
- Ben Hamman, Mentor Coordinator/Advisor/Instructor
- Liam Keshishian, Wellbeing Support Coach
- Sam Curran, Program Coordinator
Our student employees are typically TRIO students themselves. They fill positions as Office Assistants, Tutors, or as Peer Mentors.
You can read more about us over on our Staff page, or come visit us on the 3rd floor of Aber Hall.