TRIO

What is TRIO?

Our nation has commited to providing educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic circumstance.

To support this commitment, Congress established a series of programs to help low-income Americans attend college, graduate, and participate fully in America’s economic and social life.

Funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 these programs are called the TRIO Programs–since they began with only three. Now there are many–and NCC is proud to offer them.

TRIO Application

FREE TRIO Services

Academic Advising

Participants receive guidance in scheduling appropriate courses to complete their course of study. We help review mid-term progress reports are reviewed and provide assistance to students in need.

Our advisors will help students track their overall progress.

If you need help with nursing or science courses, we encourage you to apply for the TRIO program. Watch as a previous academic specialist leads a study group.

Career Planning

TRIO staff provide free career counseling to participants.

For those with questions about careers, salaries, and the projected job market, we schedule the Iowa Career Coach assessment through the Career Center.

Additional Career Planning resources are available online.

Personal Counseling

Personal counseling is available to TRIO participants dealing with issues that interfere with their academic success.

Students with issues beyond the scope of the TRIO staff are referred to an appropriate service provider.

Financial Aid Advising

TRIO helps participants maximize their financial aid potential by providing scholarship information. Guidance is also given on how to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), a form required by the federal government for financial aid eligibility.

Additional Financial Aid resources are available online.

Tutoring

Professional and peer tutoring are available to TRIO participants by appointment.

Tutoring and basic skills classes enable students to excel academically.

Transfer Assistance

TRIO assists in exploring colleges and areas of study.

We schedule group campus visits to four-year colleges so that participants can make decisions based on first-hand knowledge.

We provide detailed information to students planning to transfer.

Lunch & Learn Workshops

TRIO provides weekly Lunch & Learn workshops to help students acquire useful skills while they enjoy enjoying a free lunch in a relaxed atmosphere.

Workshop topics include:

Learning Styles
Mastering Test Anxiety
Time Management
Formal Dining Etiquette
Resume Writing
Interview Preparation
Note Taking Skills.

Cultural Activities

TRIO offers a variety of free cultural events.

Off campus activities include plays, operas, ballets, symphonies, dinner theaters, museums, and many more that students request.

Eligibility

We encourage each accepted or enrolled student at NCC to apply to the TRIO program.

All services provided by the TRIO program are FREE to students who meet eligibility guidelines.

To be eligible, students must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Neither parent graduated from a four-year college
Meet federal income guidelines
Have a documented disability

A participant must also be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

The program is funded to serve 160 students, so this is the number we select from the applicant pool.

To apply for the TRIO program, complete this application form.

TRIO Student Support Services Grant Aid

TRIO participants who meet established criteria are eligible to apply for one of ten awards.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Receive a Pell Grant
Be in good academic standing
Attend at least two Lunch & Learn workshops during the fall semester.
Participate in one TRIO sponsored community service project during the fall semester.
Submit a one-page narrative that describes the impact of the TRIO Student Support Services program on the applicant’s education. Your narrative should discuss any co-curricular or community involvement, list future education or career goals, and explain how this Grant Aid would help achieve those goals.

NOTE: Grant priority is given to first year TRIO students.

To apply for a TRIO grant, complete the application form and submit the narrative by the second Friday of December.