The TRIO Student Support Services Program (TRIO SSS) is a program for selected first-year students admitted to the College of Education and Human Development.
The TRIO SSS Program is funded by the United States Department of Education and the University of Minnesota. This program provides academic and advising support to low- to moderate-income and first-generation college students, students for whom English is not their first language, as well as students with disabilities requiring academic accommodations.
For selected students for whom English is not their first language, the TRIO SSS College English Transitions (CET) Program offers a two-semester sequence of courses in which students work on academic English while taking a typical first-year curriculum (speech, biology, composition, literature, etc.). The program builds support in the way of integrated learning courses, small class size, special advising, and an instructional staff with expertise in teaching English as a second language. The TRIO SSS Program is devoted to enriching students' academic experiences, and equipping them to excel academically.
Because this Program is designed to support and enhance student success, your admission to the College of Education and Human Development is contingent upon your participation in all of the programmatic elements of the TRIO SSS Program.
What is TRIO President's Emerging Scholars?
The TRIO SSS Program and the President's Emerging Scholars Program align to support student success. You will benefit from the support of the TRIO SSS Program as well as have access to the opportunities of the President's Emerging Scholars Program. In addition, you will receive the first year President's Emerging Scholar Award, a $1,000 scholarship.*
The President's Emerging Scholars (PES) Program ensures timely graduation of its participants by encouraging and supporting academic, career, and personal well-being through scholarships, programming, professional advising, and peer mentoring.
The President's Emerging Scholars Program supports students in their pursuit of a bachelor's degree at the University of Minnesota. Participants are selected based on a holistic review conducted by the Office of Admissions, and PES students demonstrate achievement in a number of ways, including strong academics, extracurricular excellence, and significant community engagement.
Key Benefits of the President's Emerging Scholars Program
Key benefits of the President's Emerging Scholars Program include:
- Academic guidance and support to help ensure academic success and timely degree completion.
- A $1,000 scholarship in their first and last years at the University
- A peer mentor who acts as a personal coach and friend for the first and second years of college
- Specialized advising in their college of enrollment
- Additional scholarships set aside exclusively for PES students, including:
- Engagement Scholarship for internships, learning abroad, undergraduate research, and more
- Fund the Gap Scholarship for study abroad
- Fischer Family Scholarship for study abroad
- Funds offered in collaboration with partner organizations like the University of Minnesota Foundation
- Courses and events set aside exclusively for PES students to aid in making life-long friends and building the 21st-century skills needed for college success, including:
- Summer Seminar, a free, five-day summer program for newly admitted students
- PES Fall Conference, a one-day conference offered in September for the purpose of building community and skills
- Courses and events offered by students' college of enrollment
Four-Year Program: The President's Emerging Scholars Program is designed as a four-year program. Students are encouraged to continue to participate after their first year. Participants in the four-year Program will complete three high-impact engagement activities by the end of their senior year, selected from a wide-range of options. Some examples include participating in undergraduate research, completing an internship, sustained volunteer work, serving as a student leader in orientation or Welcome Week activities, and serving as a peer mentor within PES. Additionally, students who meet the academic and participation requirements of the four-year Program will be eligible to receive a second $1,000 President's Emerging Scholar Award* in their senior year of college.
Please note that if you intend to participate in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Minnesota, NCAA financial aid rules may restrict the awarding of this scholarship. If this applies to you, please contact the Financial Aid Coordinator for Student-Athletes, at 612-625-5357.