What Is TRIO-Student Support Service?
MISSION STATEMENT:
Promoting academic and personal growth through comprehensive support and genuine care.
Welcome!
For many of our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ TRIO- Student Support Services (SSS) is a home away from home. We aim to be more than a program; we're a partnership dedicated to your academic success, personal development, and growth. Whether you're navigating academic challenges, seeking career guidence, or building community, our team is here to empower your journey from enrollment to graduation and beyond.
TRIO SSS is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Education. There are 15 TRIO-SSS programs in Montana and nearly 1200 across the U.S. and its territories. The current annual budget is $504,749, and we serves approximatley 375 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ a year! More information on TRIO programs can be found on the .
TRIO SSS at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ is 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 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who are first-generation, low-income, and/or disabled successfully graduate from a 4-year undergraduate program.
To that end, TRIO provides a wide array of academic and advisory services to Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ 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 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ exclusively
- Includes a Learning Strategies class (COLS 160) and a College & Career Success course (COLS 391)
More information is available on our dedicated 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 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ every year, and have been a part of UM's student services since 1979. Our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ come from every academic department on campus and from all walks of life.
You can read more about TRIO's eligibility requirements, as well as find our application, on our Eligibility & Application Page.
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TRIO SSS employs five staff and 15-20 student employees.
The six current project staff members are:
- 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 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ 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.