February 19, 2015

 

Contacts:

Kelly Buck, Student Support Services/TRiO, 657-2162
Carmen Price, University Relations & Communications, 657-2266

 

MSUB students, college-bound middle and high school students and community members are invited to attend the week-long event, set for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Liberal Arts building second-floor lobby. 

 

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Academic success is the focus of the annual TRiO Week at Montana State University Billings.

John Kosseh

MSUB students, college-bound middle and high school students and community members are invited to attend the week-long event, set for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Liberal Arts building second-floor lobby.

 

Sponsored by MSUB’s Student Support Services, Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound, TRiO Week is a national celebration of TRiO programs and their participants. The federally funded program includes outreach and support programs that assist first-generation, economically disadvantaged and disabled students to obtain an education.

 

TRiO representatives will be available during the week to offer tips on academic success and information about TRiO programs. Prospective students have the opportunity to learn about financial aid, study skills, tutoring resources, advising and career options.  The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served as well as giveaways and prizes.

 

MSUB’s Student Support Services serves about 280 students annually while Educational Talent Search serves 570, Upward Bound 75 and Veteran’s Upward Bound 155. All services are free of charge to students enrolled in the programs.

 

TRiO’s Success in Montana:

  • 78% of low-income MT TRiO high school students enroll in college compared to 27% of all high school graduates nationally
  • 24% of low-income MT TRiO students complete a Bachelor’s degree in 6 years compared to 8% nationally
  • 87% of all SSS/TRiO participants persisted or graduated from MSUB
  • 92% of all SSS/TRiO participants were in good academic standing at MSUB
  • F14 = 46% of SSS students had 3.0 or higher
  • 40 students had a 3.5 or higher GPA

The Higher Education Act of 1965 initiated TRiO during Lynden B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty” campaign.  The program represents a range of services designed to assist students with academic promise in overcoming the educational, financial and social challenges that impede college graduation.

 

Call Student Support Services/TRiO at 657-2162 for more information about programs and the event.  Student Support Services/TRiO is funded through the U.S. Department of Education.

 

PHOTO: John Kosseh