Frequently Asked Questions


Q: What is the Student Support Services program?

A: Student Support Services is a federally funded TRIO program designed to provide additional academic support for students who have academic need. Click here for more information.

Q: What is TRIO?

A: TRIO is the title for five federally funded programs. The title was coined by the US Congress to refer to the first three programs established in 1965, 1966, and 1967. Click here to go the the TRIO Web site.

Q: What are the admission requirements to the SSS program?

A: A student must be an American citizen or permanent resident of the U.S., must be registered as an undergraduate student attending on campus classes at USU, must demonstrate an academic need for services, and must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) low income - determined by federal guidelines based on family size and income, 2) first generation - neither parent has a 4-year college degree, or 3) documented disability - learning or physical. Click here to learn more.

Q: What are the services provided by the Student Support Services program?

A: Some of the services provided by SSS are: academic advising, course selection, tutoring, financial aid planning, faculty mentoring, reading instruction, study skills instruction, math instruction, and major/ career advising. Click here for a detailed description of the services.

Q: Why do some of the math classes require Student Support Service's permission to enroll in them?

A: These classes, Math 0900, 1010, and 1050, are specially designed for students who are enrolled in the SSS program and need a personalized instructor to help them succeed. Enrollment in these classes requires the student's admission in the Student Support Services program.

Q: Is there any financial support from the SSS program to the SSS participants?

A: The SSS Director works with the Financial Aid Director to make sure that all the eligible program participants are receiving the full financial support including the federal Pell grant and the state UCOPE grant. In addition, the SSS program provides Pell grant recipients with financial support from the SSS grant aid.

Q: How and when can a student apply to the SSS program?

A: The student must meet with the Director to determine his/her acceptance. Appointments are made beginning August 1st on a first-come, first-serve basis until the program is full. The student must bring the completed SSS application and any required documentation to the appointment. An application can be obtained in the SSS office or online.

Q: What are the student's responsibilities once accepted?

A: The student must maintain regular contact with program staff throughout each semester, use tutors and/or labs if assigned to you by an instructor or advisor, follow a prescribed course of study and developmental plan if needed, attend workshops on special topics, and reactivate his/her file each Fall semester to remain a participant.