TRIO Student Support Services Program

A free campus program that helps UW Bothell students thrive, connect, and graduate.

Program overview

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) offers tools, community, and guidance to help you make the most of your UW Bothell college experience. Through one-on-one advising, group workshops, peer relationships, and hands-on learning activities, SSS students gain valuable academic, career, and personal skills that lead to success!

When you join SSS, you can expect:

  • A dedicated staff advisor to help you plan your quarter, explore academic opportunities, and connect with campus resources
  • Community-building events so you’ll meet students with similar experience, goals, and interests
  • Tutoring, workshops, and study-skills support so you’ll feel confident about your coursework
  • Financial literacy and internship guidance so you’ll plan ahead and access opportunity
  • Hands-on learning and leadership activities so you’ll enrich your college journey and feel connected to campus
  • A welcoming, inclusive community where your strengths, experiences and future matter

Our goal is to help students stay on track and graduate with confidence. We support students with personalized advising, tutoring, financial guidance, and career preparation to reduce barriers and provide a supportive path to degree completion.

view application instructions

A quick note on TRIO Program student referrals: We will soon have a form for advisors to refer students to our program.

Services

From personalized advising to building your social network, TRIO SSS offers numerous benefits to make your college experience successful and fulfilling. All services are provided at no cost to participants.

Individual meetings with the SSS Advisor offer students personalized guidance and ongoing support, and keeps them informed about upcoming events, workshops, classes, scholarships, internships, and other valuable resources or opportunities.
SSS staff collaborate closely with campus partners to offer regular workshops on topics such as time management, writing skills, test taking, finals preparation, career planning, applying to graduate school, networking, coping with stress, how to talk to faculty, and more.
SSS courses, quarterly events, and small group activities enhance educational experiences and provide opportunities for participants to meet other SSS students, explore new interests, and develop a strong sense of belonging at UW Bothell.
Free tutoring in a variety of subjects and weekly study group sessions help participants establish strong study habits and achieve success in critical courses. Exclusive access to drop-in tutoring is also available during midterms and finals.
SSS students benefit from early registration in prerequisite courses for their major. Having access to classes before they fill up allows participants to balance school, work, and family obligations and build a schedule that meets their needs.
SSS staff work closely with students to maximize grant and scholarship funds and minimize their reliance on loans. Participants receive financial aid counseling, FAFSA assistance, and guidance on budgeting and money management.
SSS staff provide students with referrals to a wide range of campus resources, including the Counseling Center, Disability Resources, Financial Aid, Career Services, and others. Staff also help students prepare in advance of meetings with academic advisors and professors.
Exclusive access to campus spaces offers participants a welcoming and comfortable environment to relax, study, or catch up with SSS peers and faculty. Convenient amenities ensures students can make the most of their time between classes.
Professional development opportunities prepare SSS students for internships and the job market. Participants gain access to career exploration tools, resume and cover letter support, mock interviews, and other skills building opportunities like study abroad.

Who is eligible?

The TRIO SSS program is available to all students who meet the following criteria:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident, or have approved refugee or asylum status that makes you eligible for federal financial aid
  • Be an admitted UW Bothell undergraduate student in any major
  • Demonstrate need for academic support

In addition, SSS participants must meet at least one of the following three requirements:

  • Be a first-generation college student (neither parent/guardian living in your household has a bachelor’s degree)
  • Have a low income as defined by the U.S. Department of Education
  • Have accommodations received from UW Disability Resources for Students (DRS)

Interested students should apply as early as possible to secure a place in SSS.

A quick note on eligibility and selection: TRIO SSS has limited space and may not be able to accept all qualified applicants into the program. Applicants will be selected if they meet the above criteria and demonstrate a commitment to active participation.

The University of Washington prohibits discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns, complaints, or direct inquiries to the Civil Rights Compliance Office. Read the full statement of nondiscrimination here.

Application process

Ready to make the most of your college experience? Apply now for the 2025–2026 cohort!

  • Step 1: Confirm eligibility (see criteria above)
  • Step 2: Submit online application
    • Current UW Bothell students: Access the application with your UW NetID login.
    • Prospective UW Bothell students: Login with the same email address and password combination used to apply for admission at UW Bothell.
  • Step 3: Fill out the income verification form
    • The form will be sent via email after you submit an application.
  • Step 4: Meet with SSS Advisor to start services
    • If you are invited to join SSS, we’ll reach out by email to schedule a meeting and build your personalized success plan.

Intake begins Winter 2026, but space is limited! The application will close when all spaces are filled. Recruitment for the 2026-2027 academic year will start in June 2026.

Current student application
Prospective student application

FAQs

Yes. Transfer students who meet eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply.
Selection is based on eligibility, demonstrated academic need, and availability of program space.
Students will be notified by email after the application is reviewed.
SSS can help students understand financial aid, budgeting, and scholarship opportunities but does not replace the Financial Aid Office.
Yes. SSS provides guidance for career planning, resume development, internship opportunities, and graduate/professional school preparation.
Students who no longer meet federal eligibility criteria or do not actively participate may be exited from the program.
Yes. Advisors help students develop academic recovery plans and connect them with campus resources.
Yes. Your personal information is kept confidential and shared only as required by federal reporting guidelines. TRIO SSS reports aggregate data—such as eligibility, enrollment, academic progress, and degree completion outcomes—to the U.S. Department of Education as part of grant requirements.
TRIO SSS has limited space, so we aren’t always able to admit every eligible student right away. Being waitlisted means your application was strong, but we’re currently at capacity.
If space becomes available, we’ll review the waitlist and contact students as spots open up. There’s nothing additional you need to do right now. We'll reach out over email if we can move forward with your application. Until then, you’re always welcome to contact us with questions or to request an update about the waitlist. Just send an email to trioworks@uw.edu. While you’re waiting, we encourage you to take advantage of other great support options on campus. Many students find it helpful to connect with a peer coach, meet with an academic success coach, or use tutoring and writing support to stay on track and feel connected.
TRIO SSS admission is based on federal eligibility guidelines and limited program capacity. Not being admitted at this time does not reflect your ability, motivation, or potential to succeed at UW Bothell.
Yes. If your circumstances change or if you believe there is additional information we should consider, you’re welcome to reach out and request a re-review by emailing trioworks@uw.edu.
Even if you’re not in SSS, UW Bothell offers many ways to get support and build momentum. Students often benefit from meeting one-on-one with a peer coach, working with an academic success coach to clarify goals and strategies, or using tutoring and writing support to strengthen their academic skills.
Yes. As long as you meet eligibility requirements, you’re welcome to apply again if the program reopens, or additional space becomes available.

Funding & acknowledgement

UW Bothell’s TRIO Student Support Services Program is 100% federally funded by the United States Department of Education in the amount of $272,364.00 per year for a period of five years.