Trio-student support services

Metropolitan State University received a $272,364 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the TRIO Student Support Services (CFDA 84.042) program, effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. The award funds comprehensive support services designed to enhance retention and graduation rates for first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Health Sciences (HS) fields. The program delivers targeted interventions to improve academic performance, financial literacy, and overall student success outcomes while facilitating degree completion at the St. Paul, Minnesota campus.

The TRIO Student Support Services program provides structured supportive services to disadvantaged college students to strengthen their capacity to successfully complete postsecondary education programs and increase transfer rates from two-year to four-year institutions. Through this award, Metropolitan State University implements evidence-based practices and specialized support mechanisms tailored to address barriers facing the target student population, with the ultimate goal of expanding postsecondary education access, affordability, and completion for disadvantaged students in STEM/HS disciplines.

Abstract

Stem improves the retention and graduation rates of first-generation and/or low-income and students with disabilities who are majoring in stem/HS fields.