TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a grant program that is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide higher education opportunities to historically underrepresented students. TRIO SSS was created in 1965 under the Title IV of the Higher Education Act and is one of eight federal TRIO programs. Our TRIO SSS program has been providing guidance and support to students since 2005 and is the only one of its kind in the Northwest Region of Pennsylvania.
Read about how TRIO SSS helped Scott Pattison ’19 balance paid work and schoolwork.
In our program you'll receive individualized academic, personal, financial, and career coaching and services to help you successfully attain your bachelor's degree. Our experienced staff provides continuous support services to approximately 160 participants through scheduled meetings, activities, and leadership development courses from the time they are accepted into the program until graduation. In order to receive services, you need to apply and be accepted based on eligibility requirements outlined by the U.S. Department of Education and the program.
Services we offer:
- Regular meetings with an assigned TRIO SSS advisor
- Academic, personal, financial, and career coaching
- Development of an Individual Academic Plan each term that outlines students' goals
- TRIO SSS Success Seminars (1 credit each) to assist students in transitioning to college, enhancing transferable skills, and preparing for the next step after college
- Mentoring and Learning Academic Success Skills for our TRIO SSS Peer Mentor/Success Coaches
- Study-skill development and strategies for maintaining and improving grades
- Graduate and professional school exploration, application guidance, and test preparation
- Financial/Economic Literacy education
- Financial Aid Planning and Referrals
- Career exploration, preparation, and readiness
- Assistance in navigating university practices and opportunities, including major, minor, and course selection, registration, leadership opportunities, and student activities
- Access to our TRIO SSS Learning Lab, software tutorials, and study center
- Equipment, textbook, and resource loan program
The TRIO SSS Student Center is available exclusively for program participants
Location: Hanley Library 201
Hours: Sunday: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00pm, extended hours will vary by semester
Saturday: Closed
Software Tutorials:
- Algebrator for Students
- College Chemistry Tutor
- Organic Chemistry Tutor
- Visible Body-Anatomy & Physiology
- PEPID RN Student Clinical Companion
- Endnote
- AdobePro
Resources and Services available in Student Center
- Four desktop computers
- Two colored printers
- Four individual scanners
- One book scanner
- Textbook library for use only by TRIO SSS participants while in Student Center
- Accessibility Desktop Station that includes Read/Write, Jaws, and ZoomText
- TRIO SSS Peer Mentor/Success Coaches have scheduled hours for TRIO SSS participants
In order to be eligible, a student must be:
- First generation - neither parent has a Bachelor's Degree (4-year) and/or
- Income eligible and/or
- Have a documented disability and registered with the Disability Resources and Services at UPB
Other eligibility Qualifications - Student:
- Demonstrates an academic need, as determined by UPB; in order to pursue successful postsecondary education
- Is a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States
- Is enrolled at the grantee institution or accepted for enrollment for the next academic semester at the grantee institution
- Must be enrolled in a Bachelor's Degree (4-year) program
The TRIO Student Support Services program encourages potentially eligible and newly admitted or current University of Pittsburgh at Bradford students to apply.
TRIO SSS fosters an institutional climate supportive of success in postsecondary education for homeless youths and students who are in foster care or aging out of foster care.
To Apply for the 2023-24 academic year apply here. This application assists us in identifying students who meet the federal grant eligibility guidelines. Applications are also available at the main TRIO SSS Office in 231 Hanley Library.
Applications are accepted and processed throughout the year. Eligible students who submit applications after our program has reached capacity (approximately 160 students) will be placed on a waiting list.
Staff
