Trio student support services

Northern State University received a $373,320 Project Grant from the Office of Postsecondary Education under the TRIO Student Support Services (CFDA 84.042) program, effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. This award supports the delivery of comprehensive supportive services to disadvantaged college students at the university's Aberdeen, South Dakota campus, including low-income students, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. The program provides academic advising, financial literacy education, tutoring, and other student success interventions designed to enhance retention rates, improve graduation outcomes, and facilitate student transfers from two-year to four-year institutions.

The TRIO Student Support Services program, administered through the Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education, targets institutions serving diverse student populations to increase postsecondary education access, affordability, and completion for disadvantaged students. Northern State University's award represents one of approximately 1,159 new grants distributed nationally under this initiative, with typical annual award amounts ranging from $272,364 to $793,760. The university has demonstrated commitment to educational support through multiple federal grant partnerships, positioning it to effectively implement evidence-based student support services that advance completion rates and academic success.