TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)
A federally funded US Department of Education grant program dedicated to empowering first-generation, income-eligible students and students with disabilities to achieve academic excellence and graduate.
Federal TRIO Grant Program: Wraparound academic care
University of Bridgeport’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program provides free personalized academic advising, financial literacy counseling, career guidance, and cultural enrichment activities to motivate and assist students toward on-time graduation.
Federal Criteria
Three pathways to TRIO eligibility
To qualify for federally funded TRIO SSS services, applicants must be enrolled at UB and meet at least one of the following criteria.
First-generation college student
- Neither parent nor legal guardian earned a bachelor’s degree
- Personalized navigation of university systems and culture
- Dedicated first-gen faculty mentors and peer support cohorts
- Specialized academic transition workshops
Income-Eligible Scholar
- Family taxable income meets federal low-income guidelines
- Typically qualifies for Federal Pell Grant funding
- Financial literacy and budgeting education
- Eligibility for SSS supplemental grant aid awards
Documented disability status
- Students registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
- Accommodated test preparation and executive function coaching
- Adaptive technology training in Wahlstrom Library
- Advocacy support with course faculty
Comprehensive Support
Exclusive TRIO SSS member benefits
All TRIO services are provided completely free of charge to active program participants.
Dedicated SSS academic counselor
Intensive semester-by-semester course registration, degree audit audits, and major exploration with your dedicated SSS coach.
One-on-one specialized tutoring
Guaranteed priority tutoring slots with CRLA-certified upper-level student tutors across math, sciences, and writing.
Financial literacy and FAFSA help
Workshops on credit building, student loan management, scholarship essay drafting, and annual FAFSA renewal assistance.
Cultural and graduate school trips
Fully funded excursions to Broadway theatre performances, New York museums, and regional graduate school campus tours.
Section overview
TRIO SSS is 100% free of charge. The program is fully funded by a multi-year grant from the US Department of Education.
Under federal TRIO guidelines, you are first-generation if neither of your parents or custodial guardians has completed a four-year bachelor’s degree in any country.
The federal grant funds support for 140 undergraduate students per academic year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with priority given to incoming first-year students.
TRIO SSS Office
Located on the 2nd Floor of Wahlstrom Library inside the Heckman Learning Commons.