TRiO F.A.Q.
1. What is TRiO Student Support Services (SSS)?
2. Do I have to reapply each semester for TRiO SSS?
3. What does it mean to be an "active" student in TRiO?
4. How can I check out a laptop from the TRiO program?
5. How can I get tutoring support through TRiO?
6. What is a Peer Mentor?
7. How many times do I have to see my peer mentor each semester?
8. How do I become eligible for a TRiO scholarship?
1. What is TRiO Student Support Services (SSS)?
The UAS TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) Program provides support and services to students who meet the federal income guidelines, and/or are first-generation college students, and/or students with a documented disability. Students can become a TRiO participant at any point in their undergraduate program (freshmen through senior). Students admitted into the TRiO Program remain eligible for program services until they receive their bachelor's or associate's degree from the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), Juneau campus.
2. Do I have to reapply each semester for TRiO SSS?
No, once the TRiO program has verified your eligibility and completed the intake process with you, you are eligible for services until you obtain your degree. To maintain "active" TRiO status, students must access at least five (5) program services per semester.
3. What does it mean to be an "active" student in TRiO?
At UAS, the TRiO SSS Program provides a variety of services each semester. A student is considered "active" after they have accessed five (5) TRiO services like tutoring, mentor meetings, workshops, or academic advising. In order to stay "active," a student must access five (5) services a semester. Once a TRiO student is "active," they are eligible for additional services such as the equipment loan program and scholarship program.
4. How can I check out a laptop from the TRiO Program?
TRiO SSS has laptop computers available for loan to TRiO student for up to a one (1) week period. To check out a laptop complete the equipement loan request, and return the form to the TRiO office as soon as possible. If a laptop is available at the time of your request, TRiO staff will assign a computer to you. If a laptop is not available at the time of your request, you will be added to a waitlist and contacted as soon as a laptop becomes available. As long as a student is in good standing with the equipement loan program, a TRiO student may check out a laptop as often as needed and available throughout the semester.
5. How can I get tutoring support through TRiO?
TRiO can provide students with individual and group tutoring above and beyond what the Learning Center provides. Tutoring services will be dependant on the availabilty of qualified tutors in the course area and the instructor's approval. If you would like to request a tutor, please visit Elizabeth in the TRiO office.
6. What is a Peer Mentor?
A Peer Mentor is another student who has been at UAS for at least two years and has a GPA of 3.0 or better. Peer Mentors provide opportunities for TRiO students to ask another UAS student questions, to share thoughts or concerns about being in school, and to be a sounding board through all the complexities and challenges that college can present.
7. How many times do I have to meet with my Peer Mentor each semester?
Newly enrolled TRiO students (freshmen), students with a GPA below 2.5, students receiving TRiO tutoring services, and students on UAS academic or financial aid probation are required to meet with a mentor three (3) times a semester with at least one of the meetings being in-person. Peer mentor meetings are very flexible and can happen at Spikes, in the library, and/or at the TRiO office. The meetings can last anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour depending on what is discussed or needed.
After the first year of TRiO program enrollement, having a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, are in good academic standing with UAS, and/or not receiving tutoring services, you are not required to meet with a mentor. If however you like the peer mentoring support, you are more than welcome to schedule appointments to meet with a mentor at anytime and/or as often as needed.
8. How do I become eligible for a TRiO scholarship?
To be eligible for TRiO SSS Program grant aid, students must be "active" TRiO participants in their first two years of postsecondary study (under 60 credit hours) as well as be eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants. Grant aid may be offered to students who have completed their first two years of postsecondary study (over 60 credit hours) if (1) TRiO SSS has first met the needs of all its eligible first and second-year students, (2) the upper classmen students are eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants, and (3) the students are at high risk of dropping out of college.
All TRiO SSS students considered for scholarships from the TRiO Program must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, be in good academic standing with UAS, and have a 67% course completion rate. There is no paperwork involved. Students will be selected by program staff based on eligibility. Grant aid will typically be distributed in the middle or end of the semester.
Furthermore, the amount of grant aid distributed by the TRiO Program will be determined by the amount of funds available and the number of students eligible each semester.
