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TRIO Student Support Services

A Supportive Community

TRIO Student Support Services provides you with a supportive community, from your first year through graduation. We believe that students who are first-generation, from families with limited income, and those who have documented disabilities bring essential strengths with them to college. TRIO will both support and challenge you to build your academic and personal strengths. The ultimate goal of the TRIO program is to increase the number of students who succeed from semester to semester and who graduate from DWU. 

Requirements for Transfer  

Eligibility

TRIO serves students who meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:  

  • First generation college students. This means neither of your parents has completed a four-year degree. 
  • Students from limited income families. This is determined by taxable income. See Federal Income Guidelines.
  • Students with disabilities. Documentation must be provided to Office of Disability Services
  • You must be enrolled at DWU full time, meet the residency requirements for student aid, and demonstrate academic potential and need.   

Success Services

We provide proactive support services to promote your personal, academic and professional goals and provide strategies in support of those goals.

Services include:

  • Academic Tutoring  
  • Peer Mentors  
  • College Success and Study Skill Strategies  
  • Academic Advising and Course Selection Assistance  
  • Personal Counseling  
  • Financial Literacy  
  • Financial Aid and Scholarship Assistance  
  • Career and Work Preparation  
  • Post-Graduate School Planning  
  • Opportunities for Service and Leadership  
  • Opportunities for Cultural and Social Engagement  
  • Access to Campus and Community Resources  
  • Opportunities for Grant Aid Scholarship Awards (Pell-eligible)  

Application Process

You will complete an application online during new student registration. TRIO staff will review applications and request additional required documentation. 

About TRIO 

TRIO programs are college opportunity programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education that advocate for college access and success. Similar to student financial aid programs, which help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, TRIO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.  

In South Dakota, TRIO has 11 projects serving 2,721 participants. Dakota Wesleyan University has offered a TRIO Program since 1979 and currently serves 160 students.  

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Questions?

TRIO Student Support Services 
Dakota Wesleyan University 
1200 W. University Ave.  
Mitchell, SD 57301 

studentsuccess@dwu.edu
605-995-2901

Jodi Wilson, M.S.Ed.

Student Success Adviser | Office of Disability Services Coordinator

Kelli Mueller, M.Ed.

Student Success Adviser

Kyle Hobbs, M.Ed.

Director of TRIO Student Support Services