Student Support Services

The term TRIO is not an acronym but rather the umbrella term for a series of academic support programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education. TRIO programs grew out of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and are designed to provide individualized academic support, as well as a wide variety of resources to qualifying participants so they can be successful and earn their college degrees. 

The TRIO/Student Support Services program has been on NHCC's campus since 1991. TRIO/SSS provides additional resources and individualized academic support to students to help them graduate and transfer.

TRIO services and benefits are offered to meet the various needs of individual students. Participants receive personalized academic advising, and depending on their needs can receive professional tutoring, help with career exploration, help with transferring to four-year colleges, access to early registration, free printing, free equipment rental for items like graphing calculators, help with applying for the FAFSA, scholarships, internships, and study abroad opportunities. Also offered area variety of academic workshops, tours to 4-yr colleges & universities, fun TRIO-exclusive events, career tours & more!

It’s as easy as applying! We have a simple, free online application that can be found here. Our staff review the applications we receive and then reach out to you.

Yes, there is some criteria to meet. You may be eligible for TRIO if you are 1 or more of the following: 

• A first-generation college student (this means neither parent has a 4-yr bachelor’s degree) 
• A person with any type of documented disability 
• Have low-income 

Unfortunately, federal guidelines prevent us from accepting international (F1 Visa) and undocumented students into the program.

No. Everything in TRIO is a free service!

No. TRIO does not give money to students for being in our program. However, TRIO academic advisors do assist their students in applying for financial aid and reducing/eliminating any loan debt. We also provide TRIO-exclusive scholarship workshops to help connect our students to additional financial resources and walk them through the process of finding and applying for a multitude of scholarships.

No. Once you join TRIO, you stay with us throughout your entire time at North Hennepin CC until you graduate, so long as you remain enrolled in school and an active participant in our program. Our priority is to help you through your academic journey here at NHCC and get you your degree!