TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) provides comprehensive services to 200 students who are first-generation and/or meet certain federal income guidelines. We provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with college requirements, and motivate students to successfully complete their degree.
Support for TRIO Student Support Services is provided by the U.S. Department of Education and Appalachian State University.
Eligibility
Students are eligible for services from TRIO Student Support Services if they meet one or more of the criteria listed below:
- First generation college student (neither parent nor guardian has received a Bachelor's degree, older siblings may have attended college.)
- Meet certain federal income guidelines
- Have a documented learning or physical disability*
*Federal guidelines require that 1/3 of our students with disabilities also qualify as being low-income
Application
If you plan to apply for our Fall 2026 cohort, please check back on March 1st.
Program Requirements
Participants are required to participate in the following program components throughout their college career:
- Early Advising Meeting with their TRIO SSS Advisor each semester
- Registration Advising with their TRIO SSS Advisor each semester
- First-year Mentor Program – meet with their assigned mentor for 30 minutes each week
- First-year Community Time – attend class designated cultural/educational events
- First-year students take 3 in-person cohort courses together (credit dependent)
- Continuing Student Community Time and Academic Workshops – attend at least 2-3 Program-Designated Professional Workshops each year