CHALLENGEFAQ for Students
What is TRiO?
Neumann University’s TRiO Student Support Services Program, federally funded by the Department of Education, provides enhanced support to income eligible, first-generation students and students with documented disabilities. The program aims to increase retention and graduation rates of participants by offering specialized services which include academic coaching, assistance with course selection, financial aid and literacy counseling, individual, reserved tutoring, career and internship counseling, and graduate school counseling. The program also offers the possibility of Grant Aid to eligible participants.
How do I know if I am eligible for the program?
Although not all students will qualify for this program, you may be selected for the TRiO Program if you are:
- a U.S. citizen or permanent resident receiving federal loans or grants;
- academically at need for services;
- income eligible as defined by the yearly U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines and/or;
View Current Income Eligibility Levels - the first generation in your family to attend college, with neither parent, nor the parent with whom you live, nor your guardian having graduated from a four-year college or university, or you are independent and/or;
- . eligible for accommodations through Accessibility Services.
Please contact us at trio@neumann.edu or stop in our office in the BACH 25 with any questions.
How does the program accept students?
Interested students who meet eligibility criteria are welcome to complete the program’s application. After eligibility is determined and a completed application is received, the TRiO/SSS program staff will interview and select applicants based on eligibility criteria and on the applicant’s intent to fully use the program’s services until graduation.
The TRiO/SSS program gives priority to:
- Incoming freshmen and sophomores who are income-eligible, first generation, and full- time;
- Incoming freshmen and sophomores who are income-eligible and have a documented disability.
What are the program requirements?
To maintain active participation in the TRiO program, participants are required to meet with their academic counselor a minimum of three times per semester. Other requirements include: annual completion of goals and returning student agreements, tutoring attendance if recommended by the academic counselor; completion of CashCourse/financial literacy semester assignments, attendance at workshops when applicable, and completion of end of semester surveys.
Once accepted, do I have to reapply each year?
No, once accepted, you DO NOT have to reapply to the program. As long as you maintain active participation as outlined in the program requirements each semester, you will remain a member of TRiO and be eligible for its services until you graduate.
What services does the program provide?
- One-on-one academic counseling to help you achieve academic goals and increase your GPA;
- Financial literacy and financial aid counseling;
- Individual, reserved tutoring;
- Career and internship counseling;
- Assistance with resume and all related career documents;
- Graduate/professional school counseling;
- The possibility of earning grant aid;
- Early course registration;
- Course selection assistance; and
- Membership in a legacy of alumni.
Is TRiO a scholarship program?
Although we do provide supplemental grant aid to eligible students each academic year, not every TRiO participant is eligible for grant aid. Our program is an academic, career, and financial literacy counseling/coaching program and is not a scholarship program.
Where is TRiO located?
The TRiO office is in the Bachmann Main Building, Room 25.
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