If you’re first-generation, low-income, or a student dealing with disabilities and you enjoy all-expenses paid traveling, with over $35,000 in grants this year, TRiO Student Support Services has plenty to offer you.
“The whole idea behind TRIO is for students to succeed and graduate with the best GPA possible, hence the tutoring we offer, in the fastest time so that they can and become productive citizens,” says Leticia Valle, Director of TRiO Student Support Services, “Everything from managing study hours, individual financial aid and budgeting, receives attention. According to Valle, out of the over 80% of students receiving financial aid, a majority are not aware of the mounting debt they can potentially take on by simply being uninformed.
Subsidized and unsubsidized loans: not everyone understands the differences. “Many students, if they’re offered $4,000 in subsidized loans, and $4,000 in unsubsidized loans. That’s $8,000 dollars per year. Multiply that by four. That’s $34,000. And they take it because they don’t know any better. And nobody is out there waving a red flag: Don’t do it. We work on a budget and look at everybody’s financial aid,” commented Valle.
In addition to specializing the program for students, their continued success approved them over $35,000 in grants this year. These monies are given back to students in scholarships and help fund trips to annual conferences.
Brenda Briones, Senior TRiO student explains her experience with TRiO’s services,” This program has given me the opportunity to acquire leadership. I have also had the privilege to travel to places I couldn’t be able to afford otherwise: Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego and Chicago. Most important of all, this program has helped me built my character. TRiO is my home away from home.”
This past summer the annual National Council of La Raza (NCLR) conference took place in Chicago, Illinois. Each annual conference serves as an opportunity to unite community leaders, elected officials at the local, state, regional and national levels, members of the corporate world, and individuals from various academic backgrounds. From witnessing Minute Men demonstrations, to shaking hands with Barack Obama, Valle tells of these experiences, available to TRiO students.
At 160 students, the program has currently reached their maximum capacity for fall. However, students looking to become a participant can do so at any point in their undergraduate career. TRiO will begin re-accepting applications January 11, 2010.
For more information on the program, visit the TRiO Student Support Services office, located in the Billy F. Cowart Hall, Suite 207 or call (956)326-2719.