TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO Student Support Services logo

Our physical office in 425 Smith Memorial Student Union building is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will continue to have our Zoom virtual front desk which will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Current Portland State TRIO - Student Support Services students: Need to contact or schedule a virtual meeting with your advisor? Go to Staff Profiles. In-person appointments will be limited because of Covid-19 social distancing restrictions. 

For all other meetings or questions; please call 503-725-3815, visit our Zoom virtual front desk, email us at triosss@pdx.edu or visit our Contact Us page.

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a college retention and graduation program for undergraduate students, which helps them develop the academic skills and personal development necessary to successfully pursue and complete their first Bachelor's degree. We currently have two TRIO - SSS programs - "Classic" and "STEM" (for those in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math majors, including Public Health Studies). Students accepted into TRIO Student Support Services will be a part of the program until they graduate from Portland State.

To qualify, a student must be an undergraduate who is income eligible, a first generation college student (neither parent or guardian has a bachelor’s degree) and/or have a documented disability. In addition, a student must also demonstrate academic need. We only have limited spaces each academic year, so please turn in your completed application as soon as possible.

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TRIO Student Support Services assists students to

  • Strengthen academic skills necessary for college level course work through classes and workshops
  • Connect with cultural and social enrichment activities to find a sense of community
  • Improve and maintain the grade point average necessary to achieve academic goals
  • Graduate with a Bachelor’s degree

TRIO Student Support Services can provide you the following services

  • Academic and career advising
  • Priority class registration for the following term
  • Graduate and professional school counseling
  • Financial Literacy such as loan forgiveness, financial aid application and managing personal budgets
  • Access to our student lounge and quiet study areas
  • FREE printing in our computer lab
  • Laptop and calculator loaner programs
  • Individual writing support
  • For credit classes to students at no charge such as a college writing class and from transition programs of Summer Bridge (incoming freshmen) and Transfer Bridge (incoming transfer students)
  • Scholarship resources and assistance
  • Make appropriate referrals to campus and community resources

What is TRIO?

Our nation has asserted a commitment to providing educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, and ethnic background or economic circumstance. In support of this commitment, Congress established a series of programs to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life. These programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRiO Programs (initially just 3 programs). While student financial aid programs help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, TRiO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.

Our Mission

The mission of TRIO programs is to expand educational opportunity to persons often underrepresented in higher education, increase the retention and graduation rates of eligible low income, first generation and disabled undergraduate students and to foster an institutional climate supportive of the success for those students through comprehensive services and advocacy.

Student of the Month: Gabriela Iraheta Romero

Gabriela Iraheta Romero

My name is Gabriela Iraheta Romero and I am a first-generation college student. I’m a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and certificates in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. I came to Portland State straight out of high school in Fall 2020, participated in the TRIO Student Support Services Summer Bridge program, and have been a part of the program since then. Being a first-generation student has led me to be inspired to pursue my education and has also challenged me to advocate for myself, which the program has allowed me to do. My growth and understanding of my education are thanks to TRIO Student Support Services, as they still help me navigate through my education and career goals. Additionally, I am President and Service Officer for a multicultural sorority on campus called KDChi. I also work in the School of Business. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and designing digital art, and anything that lets my creative side flow.

 

 

 

 

TRIO -  Student Support Services (SSS) programs, "Classic' & "STEM" at Portland State University are 100% US Department of Education funded.   "Classic" receives $426,814  and "STEM" receives $261,888 for a total of $688,702 annually. Our goals are to increase the retention, graduation, and good academic standing of eligible students.