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The College of St. Scholastica

TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) has a long history of providing mentorship, programming and services to first-generation, disabled or income-eligible students that helps foster an inclusive and resilient community. We work with and empower each student as they navigate college and pursue their goal of earning a bachelor’s degree. Student Support Services is a 100% federally funded TRIO program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education ($352,532 annually).

How TRIO SSS Can Help You

Eligibility, Application and Services

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you are a U.S. Citizen with academic need and at least one of the following is true:

  • Neither of your parents or guardians graduated from a four-year college
  • You have documented financial need and meet the income guidelines
  • You have a documented disability (physical, learning, mental health, or chronic condition)

Apply Now

There are 2 steps when applying online. Both steps must be completed before your application will be considered for the program.

Step 1: Personal Information Form

Student: Fill out the Personal Information Form to apply for TRIO SSS.

Step 2: Income Verification Form

Parent/Guardian of Dependent Student or Independent Student: Complete the Income Verification Form.

A parent or guardian will need to complete this step unless you are:

  • 24 years old
  • Married
  • Serving active duty in military
  • Foster care or ward of the state

Questions?

Email sss@css.edu or call 218-723-6594.

Services

SSS offers free services in the following four areas: academic support, career guidance, personal development, and financial literacy. The purpose of our services is to increase the number of SSS eligible students who graduate from college.

TRIO McNair Scholars Program

The TRIO McNair Scholars program inspires and empowers the McNair student community to succeed in research, graduate study and advanced careers. The McNair student community specifically includes first generation students with financial need and underrepresented students of color enrolled at The College of St. Scholastica, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Lake Superior College and the University of Minnesota Duluth.

About the Program

The TRIO McNair Scholars Program offers individualized guidance, research funding, graduate school application assistance, and a community of like-minded scholars who are interested in research, graduate school and advanced careers.

McNair Eligibility

Am I eligible to join the TRIO McNair Scholars program?

A student is eligible* to participate in a McNair project if the student meets all the following requirements:

  • A citizen or national of the United States, a permanent resident of the United States, is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and provides evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of his or her intent to become a permanent resident, a permanent resident of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or a resident of one of the Freely Associated States.
  • Currently enrolled in a degree program at an institution of higher education that participates in the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA
  • A low-income individual who is a first-generation college student**
  • A member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education (The following ethnic and racial groups are considered underrepresented in graduate education: Black (non-Hispanic), Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders) or a member of a group that is not listed above if the group is underrepresented in certain academic disciplines as documented by standard statistical references or other national survey data submitted to and accepted by the Secretary on a case-by-case basis.

Answer a few questions on this form to quickly determine your eligibility for the TRIO McNair Scholars program. If you have any questions or concerns about eligibility, please contact us at mcnair@css.edu.

STEM majors, sophomores and TRIO alumni are especially encouraged to apply! The McNair program serves students from The College of St. Scholastica, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Lake Superior College and The University of Minnesota Duluth.


*Source: Code of Federal Regulations 

**Income eligibility based on this taxable income chart. First-generation student means neither natural/adoptive parent has completed a Bachelor’s degree.

Grant Information

Grant # ~ P217A220018

This TRIO McNair Scholars Program is federally funded at $305,049 annually through the U.S. Department of Education.