The purpose of the Student Support Services Program (SSS) is to increase the number of disadvantaged low-income college students, first generation college students, and college students with disabilities in the United States who successfully complete a program of study at the postsecondary level.

TRIO Student Support Services provides holistic and student-centered services, resources, and educational opportunities that support and improve the likelihood of graduation for eligible students.

Since we serve only a selection of 140 students at City College and 230 students at MSUB annually, we can provide more attention to each participant.

TRIO SSS provides academic assistance, personal development, and educational and personal resources. Learn more about the SSS Services on your campus. 

Although we offer financial literacy services, such as assistance in scholarship search and applications, we do not sponsor any scholarships.

The programs at each campus provide comparable services with the same mission and vision. However, students can only be a participant of the TRIO SSS program associated with their campus and receive services from that program's campus/staff.

Learn more about the programs. 

The TRIO SSS at MSUB program can serve any students seeking a 4-year degree from MSU Billings.

Unfortunately, we may not serve students who have declared their major in Pre-Nursing, because students in these plans of study do not plan to graduate from MSUB before transferring.

The TRIO SSS at City College program can serve any student who is seeking to earn a certificate or two-year Associate’s degree from City College at MSU Billings.

Unfortunately, we may not serve students who have declared their major in the following programs, because students in these plans of study do not plan to graduate from City College at MSUB before transferring:

  • Pre Respiratory Therapy (partnership with MSU Great Falls)
  • Pre-Dental Hygiene (preparation for transfer)
  • Surgical Technology (partnership with MSU Great Falls)

First generation college student means -

(1) A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree;

(2) A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree; or

(3) An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent.

34 CFR 646.7 “First generation college student”

We strongly encourage referrals from faculty and staff. 

The goal of TRIO SSS is to increase the retention and graduation rates of its participants. We are committed to providing proactive academic and other assistance to our participants.