How to Apply

Application and Eligibility

What is the application procedure?

Students interested in the program must complete the SHSU Student Support Services application, provide income verification, and demonstrate academic need.

Students who apply to become a part of the TRIO SSS program must be:

  1. A U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident, as defined below:
    • US Citizen
    • US National (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain's Island)
    • Permanent Resident (U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C)
    • Eligible Non-Citizen (Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service)
    • Not eligible are holders of student visas (F1, F2, J1, and J-2 Visas)
  2. Students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment at SHSU as an undergraduate student.

Each applicant must fall under one or more of three primary eligibility criteria:

    1. First-Generation Criteria

      To qualify as "first-generation” for the SSS program a first-generation college student means:

      1. Neither your natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate four year degree;
      2. Prior to the age of 18, you regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate four degree; or
      3. Prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent.
      • Foster care youth means youth who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system.
      • Homeless children and youth means persons defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 1143a).

    2. Documented Disability Criteria

      If a student has a documented (physical or learning) disability, as defined by Section 504/ADA, he or she may be eligible for the SSS program. Participants who have a documented disability must provide verification from the SHSU Services for Students with Disabilities Office if they are seeking SSS services.

    3. Income Eligibility Guidelines Criteria

      The official Income Eligibility guidelines are updated at the end of January annually. You can view the most recent chart at the link below.

      Department of Education

      Find the size of your family in the chart, using your most recent tax return, to determine if your family's taxable income fell at or below the figure in the next column (taxable income can be found on tax forms 1040EZ-line 6, 1040A-line 26, or 1040-line 43).

    4. Click below to express interest in TRIO. Our application quota for 2024-2025 Academic Year has been exceeded. Complete form to receive follow up information about any program openings in Spring 2025 or the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

      TRIO INTEREST FORM