Grant Aid

Please Kindly Read All Information Before Emailing

Our grant aid assistance program is available to support qualifying active TRIO students who require financial aid to cover their educational costs. Awards are entirely decided by the TRIO team on who will receive the aid, no applications, and no interviews are used during the selection process. The aid amount varies and is very competitive. Various common questions are answered immediately below.

Restrictions

  • Must be active TRIO student
    • NOT current pending program applicants and NOT non-TRIO students
  • Grant Aid is financial assistance that TRIO(SSS) offers to qualified participants once a year.
  • Spots are very limited, so only a small portion of our student base are able to receive assistance per year.
  • Candidates are vetted by TRIO staff and not gauranteed to all.

NOTE: ONLY active TRIO students who have less than 60 units are eligible for this award.

Grant Aid FAQs

How to apply

You cannot apply. This aid is STRICTLY GIVEN to students who the TRIO team provides it to.

To be awarded the grant, our staff will review all students and GIFT the grant to the selected students chosen.

The results cannot be influenced or asked for. Any attempts to ASK or EMAIL for this grant WILL BE DENIED.

How frequently are grants awarded?

Grant Aid is financial assistance that TRIO(SSS) offers to qualified participants once a year. Spots are very limited, so only a small portion of our student base are able to receive assistance per year.

What are the funds of this gifted grant used for?

Our grant aid assistance program is available to support ONLY qualifying active TRIO students who require financial aid to cover their educational expenses.

Again, any current pending program applicants and non-TRIO students attempting to outreach WILL BE DENIED.

How much (if awarded), would I recieve?

The aid amount varies and is very competitive. It depends on the program's annual budget and the selected student's financal situation.

What are the exact qualifications that would make me eligible for this gifted aid?

In Order to Qualify You Must:

  • Be a Freshman OR Sophmore enrolled at SJSU (59 units and below) 
  • Juniors and Seniors do not qualify (60 units+) 
  • Be a TRIO SSS student (McNair students aren't qualified but welcomed to apply to the TRIO SSS program!)
  • Maintain full-time student status during the semester (carrying 12 or more units)
  • Complete at least three counseling appointments per semester
  • Be eligible for the Pell Grant 
  • Have a semester GPA of 2.5 or higher
Are TRIO transfer students eligible?

Typically, transfer students transfer with 60+ units, which means that they are uneligible. However, in cases to where the transfer student has less than 60 units (Freshman/Sophmore), they remain eligible.

Please refer to your transcript to see if you are eligible. If you are really concerned about your eligibility then contact one of our SSS advising staff members.

Are current Senior and Junior standing students eligible?

No, as being a Junior/Senior requires one to have above 60 units, thus being uneligible.

Can I recieve this when I have not met with my counselor, or attended many/any events?

If you have not met with your counselor yet and want grant aid, then this is a good reminder to meet with them so they may help you assess your financial options, as well as your eligibility.

And while you can email your counselor, it is much more constructive for you and them to meet with them in person or online about questions like this.