Program Requirements

How to Apply

ATTENTION: Incoming Fall Freshmen students, we are offering you an opportunity to earn 3 FREE college credits this summer, Summer Bridge class: A Class for New Fall Freshmen

Our Transfer Bridge: A Class for New Fall Transfer Students is closed for 2025.

We are accepting applications from current Portland State and incoming new students for fall term entry but reviewing applications will not be done until after September 1st. Our program has to wait for our current spring and summer students to graduate first, which then opens up spots in our program.

We have two programs to offer, TRIO Student Support Services Classic and the TRIO Student Support Services STEM.

First, please scroll down to review our eligibility requirements to check that you are eligible to apply AND
Please check that you are filling out the correct application. If you are unsure of which application to fill out, please email triosss@pdx.edu

Apply Now - NON STEM Majors >> Even though you may be a part of a research project and/or program, disciplines such as Psychology, Sociology, etc., are considered NON-STEM pathways/majors.

Apply Now - STEM Majors >> Majors from the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Public Health Studies

Scroll down to review our eligibility requirements to check if you are eligible to apply. Contact Us with questions.

Federal Eligibility Requirements:

Eligible students must be an undergraduate and:

be a United States citizen or permanent resident AND
low income student* (check the table income levels) OR
first generation college student (Means an individual neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree; or a student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one natural or adoptive parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree.) OR
individual with disabilities as defined by ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (Means a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, and has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an “impairment.”)

All applicants to our program must:

be undergraduate students who are admitted full time to Portland State University, 12 credits or more per term. Can be co-enrolled with certain Oregon community colleges and Clark College, check for more information on co-admission.
have fewer than 135 college credits or have two or more years remaining until graduation
demonstrate academic need
1. successful applicants must have a 2.5 or higher overall college grade point average or
2. first term Freshman students must have a 3.0 or higher high school grade point average
3. other examples of "academic need" may be working 20+ hours a week, family responsibilities or English Language Proficiency

*Family meets Federal Government Income Eligibility Guidelines and verified by Portland State University.

Important Dates and Applications:

ATTENTION: Incoming Fall Freshmen students, we are offering you an opportunity to earn 3 FREE college credits this summer, Summer Bridge class: A Class for New Fall Freshmen

Apply Now - NON STEM Majors >> Even though you may be a part of a research project and/or program, disciplines such as Psychology, Sociology, etc., are considered NON-STEM pathways/majors.

Apply Now - STEM Majors >> Majors from the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Public Health Studies

Application Process:

TRIO will reach out via email to students to schedule an intake appointment.
Students are notified of their acceptance to the program during their intake appointment.

Portland State University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to its students. TRIO Student Support Services is funded by the United States Department of Education.

Contact Us with questions.

Selection Process

When there is limited space in the TRIO Student Support Services, priority will be given to:

Students who are both low income eligible AND first-generation college students.
Students who are both low income eligible AND have disabilities who require educational accommodations.
Alumni of other TRIO programs, Upward Bound, Talent Search, Educational Opportunity Center, and Student Support Services from other institutions.
Most importantly, students who are motivated to make full use of our program’s services and to become a successful Portland State graduate. It is expected that participants meet with an SSS advisor at least once a term.