TRIO Student Support Services

Program Requirements

How to Apply

We are accepting applications from current Portland State and incoming new students for the 2025-2026 academic year only.  Questions on entry for 2026-2027, email please email triosss@pdx.edu 

We have two programs to offer, TRIO Student Support Services Classic and the TRIO Student Support Services STEM.  Please scroll down to review our eligibility requirements first to check if you are eligible to apply. Contact Us with questions.

Apply Now >>  

 

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:

We are accepting applications from current Portland State and incoming new students for the 2025-2026 academic year only.  Questions on entry for 2026-2027, email please email triosss@pdx.edu 

We have two programs to offer, TRIO Student Support Services Classic and the TRIO Student Support Services STEM. Please review our eligibility requirements (listed to the left of the page) first to check if you are eligible to apply.

Apply Now >>  

 

Application Process:

  1. Once we receive your application, we will reach out via email to students to schedule a one hour intake appointment.
  2. Students are notified of their acceptance into 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.
  • 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.

*Students who are first-generation AND have disabilities who require educational accommodations is considered as having only one federal eligibility requirement.