Welcome to TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) at the University of Montana!
For many of our students, TRIO SSS is a home away from home. We hope that you feel the same way when you become a member!
As you navigate our website you will find an abundant amount of support, whether you are new to UM or a returning student.
Mission Statement: Promoting Academic and Personal Growth
Through Comprehensive Support and Genuine Care.
Important News for TRIO Students
Winter Break Hours: The TRIO Office will continue to be open over Winter Break. Our normal office hours remain Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Individual staff availability may change during the holidays. At least two TRIO staff members will be available every day that the office is open.
Spring 25 Book Loan Application: The Spring 2025 Book Loan application is now LIVE! Book loans are approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who have outstanding Fall 24 book loans may apply for Spring 25, but their applications will not be processed until they have returned their previously loaned textbooks.
Monthly Events & Scholarship Highlights: The scholarship highlights for December have now been sent out to student emails. You can also download a PDF copy here.
FAFSA: The 2025-2026 FAFSA has now launched! Remember to file your FAFSA before UM's Priority Deadline of March 1, 2025. Federal need-based aid (FSEOGs and Pell Grants) and internal scholarships awarded by UM's Financial Aid Office are given to students on a first-come, first-served basis. File before the deadline to get all of the aid you qualify for!
- Reach out to your TRIO advisor or to UM Financial Education to get free help with filing your FAFSA. Both offices are open over Winter Break, with in-person, phone, and virtual appointments available.
Student of the Month: December's Student of the Month is Grace Suden! As the first in her family to go to college, Grace is incredibly proud to be graduating this Fall with her Bachelor's in Geoscience. You can read more about Grace, as well as our previous Students of the Month, on the Student Recognition page.
Fall Semester & Winter Hours
Our Fall and Winter office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (MT). The TRIO student lounge and computer lab are open at the same time as our offices.
We are closed on the following federal holidays for the 2024-2025 academic year:
- Monday, September 2 (Labor Day)
- Monday, November 11 (Veterans Day)
- Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29 (Thanksgiving)
- Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Wednesday, January 1 (New Year's Day)
- Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
- Monday, February 17 (Presidents' Day)
Information and updates available on our Instagram.
What Is TRIO SSS?
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TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is an educational grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program was created to assist students who are first-generation, low-income, and/or disabled successfully graduate from a 4-year undergraduate program.
To that end, TRIO provides a wide array of academic and advisory services to students as we support them through their time at UM. Some of our services include:
- Academic advising
- FAFSA assistance
- One-on-one tutoring
- Peer mentorship programs
- Computer lab and printer access
- Academic and professional workshops
- Textbook & technology loan programs
- Four courses taught by TRIO staff for TRIO students exclusively
- Includes a Learning Strategies class (COLS 160) and a College & Career Success course (COLS 391)
More information is available on our dedicated Services page. All of our services are provided for free to enrolled TRIO participants, and there is no limit to how often they can access the programs, advising, and assistance we offer.
We provide assistance to 375 active students every year, and have been a part of UM's student services since 1979. Our students come from every academic department on campus and from all walks of life.
You can read more about TRIO's eligibility requirements, as well as find our application, on our Eligibility & Application Page.
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TRIO SSS employs five staff and 15-20 student employees.
The six current project staff members are:
- Dan Benge, Director
- Janet Zupan, Advising Coordinator/Instructor
- Peter Donaldson, Advisor/Tutor Coordinator
- Ben Hamman, Mentor Coordinator/Advisor/Instructor
- Liam Keshishian, Wellbeing Support Coach
- Courtney Bentz, Program Coordinator
Our student employees are typically TRIO students themselves. They fill positions as Office Assistants, Tutors, or as Peer Mentors.
You can read more about us over on our Staff page, or come visit us on the 3rd floor of Aber Hall.
Welcome to TRIO Student Support Services!
TRIO SSS is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The current annual budget is $504,749. There are 15 TRIO SSS programs in Montana and nearly 1200 across the U.S. and its territories. More information on TRIO programs can be found on the US Department of Education website.
TRIO SSS at the University of Montana is a proud affiliate partner with the Aspire and its Montana Chapter; the Council for Opportunity in Education; and the Montana College Attainment Network. Find out more about our partners below!
