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Joining TRIO!

It's simple and starts with showing interest. Whether you're curious about what we offer or ready to apply, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Below is a quick breakdown of how to get started, what to expect, and how we determine eligibility.

Step 1

Set Up An Appointment!

This step is completely optional

You can set up an appointment with us for a new participant interest meeting with one of our advisors! This optional step can help you decide if TRIO is the right fit for your academic, personal, and professional development needs.

SCHEDULE A NEW PARTICIPANT INTEREST MEETING!

Step 2

Apply Online!

Please fill out our new and simplified application so we can review your eligibility.

COMPLETE THE APPLICATION TODAY!

Step 3

Get To Know Each Other!

If everything looks good on our end, you will then be invited to schedule a Discovery Snapshot Questionnaire and schedule a time to come in to the First-Gen+ Support Center for a Discovery Session with one of our Advisors. This is a time for us to get to know you and for you to get to know our program.

Program Eligibility

  • Neither parent or guardian has completed a four-year college degree. This means you’re among the first in your family to pursue a bachelor's degree.
  • Here’s the formal definition of who could qualify under this classification:
    • (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; or
    • (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.
  • Your family’s taxable income meets federal low-income guidelines, which consider factors like household size and income level. If you receive a Pell Grant or qualify for the CMU Promise, you may meet this requirement. We work closely with CMU’s financial aid office to determine this eligibility.
  • Here’s how the Department of Education defines this point: an individual whose family's taxable income did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount in the calendar year preceding the year in which the individual initially participated in the project. The poverty level amount is determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
  • Confused? We get it! Don’t let this stop you from applying for TRIO. We can talk more about this later.
  • You have a physical, learning, psychological, or other documented disability. TRIO works closely with CMU’s Educational Access Services (EAS) to ensure you have the support and accommodations you need.
  • The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 defines this as a person whom:
    • (a) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities which also include learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, etc., and
    • (b) has a record of such an impairment, or
    • (c) is regarded as having such an “impairment.”