Michigan State University 

TRIO Student Support Services Program

Participant Application

Thank you for your interest in the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program! Here, you will be able to submit your application for the program and review the terms of our participation agreement. This application is intended for current Michigan State University students only.

The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program at Michigan State University is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It aims to create opportunities for academic development, aid students in meeting essential college requirements, and inspire those who are first-generation, income-eligible, or have documented disabilities to successfully complete their postsecondary education. The primary objective of TRIO SSS is to enhance college retention and graduation rates among its participants. Within the MSU TRIO SSS Program, students are granted access to customized cultural activities that facilitate their adjustment to university life and enable them to build strong relationships with peers, instructors, and advisors.

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria as outlined by the U.S. Department of Education:

1. First-generation: Neither parent nor guardian has graduated from a four-year college or university (students whose parents earned a college degree in another country, unfortunately, are not considered first generation)… OR/AND
2. Income-eligible: Determined by evaluating federal taxable income information (Please refer to the "How to Join" page on our website for more information on income)… OR/AND
3. Have a documented disability.
    

Additionally, students must be U.S. citizens (or eligible non-citizens/permanent residents) to be eligible for participation.

 

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THIS APPLICATION BE COMPLETED WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN AS THERE INFORMATION MAY BE NEEDED TO COMMPLETE THIS FORM.

Dependancy Status

If you can answer “Yes” to any of the questions below, you are considered to be an Independent student. 

• Were you born before January 1, 2001? 
• As of today, are you married? (Also answer “yes” if you are separated but not divorced.) 
• At the beginning of the 24-25 school year, will you be working on a Master’s or doctorate program? 
• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training? 
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces? 
• Do you now have or will you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025? 
• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2025? 
• At any time since you turned age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court? 
• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor? 
• Does someone other than your parent or stepparent have legal guardianship of you, as determined by a court in your state of legal residence? 
• At any time on or after July 1, 2023 were you unaccompanied and either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless? (may be determined by: Director or designee of an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving those experiencing homelessness; your high school or school district homeless liaison or designee; Director or designee of a project supported by a federal TRIO or GEAR UP program grant; Financial aid administrator (FAA)).

Income Eligible:

Students must satisfy the income criteria outlined in the Federal TRIO Program's current-year low-income thresholds provided below.

 

Income Verification:

The TRIO SSS program requires verification of income for all students. To qualify, students must meet the income criteria based on the Federal TRIO Program's current-year low-income thresholds, which are provided below. As proof of income, please provide the following documentation:

• For DEPENDENT students: A signed copy of your parent or guardian’s federal tax return (1040 Form), or documentation from another governmental source.
• For INDEPENDENT students: A signed copy of your federal tax return (1040 Form), or documentation from another governmental source.

If a tax return has not been filed, you may submit a TRIO SSS Income Verification Form as an alternative.

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities also qualify for TRIO SSS. Review the information below:

Documented Disability:

Students who self-identify as having a disability must submit a corroborative documentation. Please refer to the list below for the types of documentation that are considered acceptable as supporting documentation.

1. Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) at any of your previous schools (K-12).
2. A documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act confirmed by a medical provider (must be a condition outlined above).
3. Accomodation Letter from MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD).

First Generation College Student

A first-generation college student is defined as any of the following:

1. A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree.
2. A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree.
3. An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent.

Academic Self-Assessment

Release of Information

I authorize Michigan State University (MSU) TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program to gather information concerning my academic progress (mid-semester progress reports, standardized test scores, grade point average, earned credits, transcripts) and financial aid information before my participation and throughout my involvement in SSS.

I acknowledge that this information aids in assessing my eligibility for the TRIO Student Support Services Program and will be treated as confidential. I understand that my eligibility, participation, and financial aid status will be disclosed to the U.S. Department of Education according to grant funding regulations. I verify the accuracy and completeness of the details on this application to the best of my knowledge. I also commit to supplying documentation for verification if requested. I am aware that the personal information shared with the TRIO Student Support Services Program is safeguarded under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

No one will have access to the information unless they work with or for the MSU SSS program or are authorized by me to see the information. Upon formal acceptance into the program, I grant permission for program representatives to have access to my official academic and financial records in order for SSS staff to assist me. Additionally, during my involvement in the SSS program, TRIO SSS staff may consult with various MSU offices and programs to secure and share the information pertinent to my participation in the program and overall collegiate success.

Finally, I give my permission to use photographs, quotes, and statements and/or print my first and last name in any and/or all publications for Michigan State University Student Support Services Program.

Please sign below to confirm that, to the best of your knowledge, the information provided in this application is accurate.