Program Description
Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. Student Support Services (SSS) projects also may provide grant aid to current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants. The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.
Types of Projects
All SSS projects must provide:
- Academic tutoring, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects;
- Advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection, assisting students with information on both the full range of student financial aid programs, benefits and resources for locating public and private scholarships; and assistance in completing financial aid applications.
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy and assist students in applying for admission to graduate and professional programs; and
- Assisting students enrolled in two-year institutions and applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in four-year programs.
The SSS projects may also provide:
- Individualized counseling for personal, career, and academic information, activities, and instruction designed to acquaint students with career options;
- Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available;
- Mentoring programs;
- Securing temporary housing during breaks for students who are homeless youths and students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system.
Reports
- Postsecondary Degree Completion Rates Among Students on the Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math-Science to Student Support Services Pathway
- Fast Facts Report for the Student Support Services Program
- Persistence and Completion in Postsecondary Education of Participants in the TRIO Student Support Services Program
- National Evaluation of Student Support Services: Examination of Student Outcomes After Six Years (2010) compares the educational outcomes of Student Support Services (SSS) program participants and non-SSS program participants six years after enrolling in college as first-year students.
- An Interim Report on the Student Support Services Program: 2002-03 and 2003-04, With Select Data From 1998-2002
- A Profile of the Student Support Services Program: 1998-1999 Through 2001-2002
- A Profile of the Student Support Services Program: 1997-99
Funding History
The historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2001 through 2024, captured in PDF and below:
| Fiscal Year | Funding Allocation | Number of Awards | Number of Participants | Average Award | Average Number of Participants | Average Cost Per Participant |
| 2024 | $379,616,682 | 1,156 | 208,343 | $328,388 | 180 | $1,822 |
| 2023 | $380,816,215 | 1,159 | 208,738 | $328,573 | 180 | $1,824 |
| 2022 | $367,195,716 | 1,162 | 209,286 | $316,003 | 180 | $1,755 |
| 2021 | $363,222,465 | 1,149 | 207,699 | $316,121 | 181 | $1,749 |
| 2020 | $365,656,182 | 1,155 | 208,746 | $316,585 | 181 | $1,752 |
| 2019 | $337,107,672 | 1,066 | 202,255 | $316,236 | 190 | $1,667 |
| 2018 | $322,608,056 | 1,069 | 202,880 | $301,785 | 190 | $1,590 |
| 2017 | $310,042,423 | 1,069 | 202,913 | $290,030 | 190 | $1,528 |
| 2016 | $302,405,536 | 1,071 | 203,290 | $282,358 | 190 | $1,488 |
| 2015 | $297,256,676 | 1,081 | 205,263 | $274,983 | 190 | $1,448 |
| 2014i | $288,631,903 | 1,027 | 202,492 | $281,044 | 197 | $1,425 |
| 2013 | $274,739,441 | 1,027 | 197,068 | $267,516 | 192 | $1,394 |
| 2012 | $290,325,810 | 1,028 | 202,750 | $282,418 | 197 | $1,432 |
| 2011 | $290,572,674 | 1,029 | 202,921 | $282,384 | 197 | $1,482 |
| 2010 | $302,514,811 | 1,034 | 204,096 | $292,568 | 197 | $1,482 |
| 2009ii | $301,525,678 | 946 | 198,057 | $318,738 | 209 | $1,522 |
| 2008 | $284,364,806 | 947 | 198,940 | $300,280 | 210 | $1,429 |
| 2007 | $271,566,777 | 949 | 199,499 | $286,161 | 210 | $1,361 |
| 2006 | $271,412,971 | 953 | 201,471 | $284,799 | 211 | $1,347 |
| 2005iii | $277,772,932 | 959 | 203,212 | $286,283 | 212 | $1,351 |
| 2004iv | $263,030,892 | 935 | 196,237 | $281,316 | 210 | $1,340 |
| 2003 | $263,650,147 | 936 | 196,716 | $281,678 | 211 | $1,340 |
| 2002v | $262,711,302 | 937 | 198,551 | $280,375 | 212 | $1,323 |
| 2001 | $254,892,170 | 944 | 199,956 | $270,013 | 212 | $1,273 |
iTotal funding includes $19,506,097 in one-time Grant Aid supplemental grants.
iiTotal funding includes $19,506,097 in one-time Grant Aid supplemental grants.
iiiSSS funding less one-time hurricane supplements: $274,545,170. Average award and cost per particiapnt based on total funding less one-time supplements.
ivThe FY 2004 funding for SSS includes $28,229,965 for grant aid.
vThe FY 2002 funding includes $3,740,000 for one-time supplemental grants for technology for some SSS projects and $28,293,179 in grant aid.
Legislation
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the Student Support Services program regulations.
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, Part 646
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Guidance
- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards - The Department worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to streamline some federal circulars into a single guidance document, and make conforming changes to Department regulations. The combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200.
Eligibility
Institutions of higher education or a combination of institutions of higher education are the only entities eligible to compete for funds under the Student Support Services program. If you have questions about eligibility, please contact OPE_TRIO@ed.gov.
Participant Eligibility for Program Services
To receive assistance, students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of postsecondary education at a grantee institution. Low-income students who are first-generation college students and students with disabilities evidencing academic need are eligible to participate in SSS projects. Two-thirds of the participants in any SSS project must be either disabled or first-generation college students from low-income families. One-third of the disabled participants must also be low-income students.
Participant Eligibility for Grant Aid
To receive SSS program grant aid, students must be current participants in the SSS project who are in their first two years of postsecondary education and receiving Federal Pell Grants. Grant aid may be offered to students who have completed their first two years of postsecondary education and are receiving Federal Pell Grants if the institution demonstrates that these students are at high risk of dropping out and it has first met the needs of all its eligible first and second-year students.
Applicant Information
This program operates on a five-year grant cycle
Last Competition: FY 2025
Next Competition: FY 2030
Applications Available: TBD
Deadline for Transmitting Applications: TBD
Federal Register Notices
Resources
- Current Low-Income Levels
- Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Q&A from Student Support Services (SSS) information webinars
- What is the purpose of the Student Support Services Program?
- What are the laws that govern the Student Support Services Program?
- What is the application deadline for the competition?
- Who is eligible to receive a SSS grant?
- Are there competitive preference priorities in the competition?
- What is the recommended page limit for applications?
- Is an applicant allowed to submit multiple applications?
- What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
- What is the duration of the average grant?
- What is the average annual grant amount?
- Are applicants required to have an indirect cost rate?
- How are applicants required to present Federal and non-Federal expenditures?
- In responding to the Quality of Project Design selection criterion, what type of evidence needs to be provided?
- Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
- Who is eligible to receive Prior Experience Points?
- What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
- Are there program-wide performance measures?
- What are some ways to avoid common application mistakes?
1. What is the purpose of the Student Support Services Program?
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.
2. What are the laws that govern the Student Support Services Program?
The SSS Program is authorized by the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008 [20 U.S.C. 1070a-11]. The law can be found here, and the regulations can be found here.
3. What is the application deadline for the competition?
The deadline for transmittal of application is 11:59 pm ET on the designated deadline day.
4. Who is eligible to receive a SSS grant?
An institution of higher education, or a consortia of institutions of higher education, is eligible to receive a grant to carry out a SSS project.
5. Are there competitive preference priorities in the competition?
There will be two competitive preference priorities for a total of up to 8 points.
Competitive preference priority 1 is Meeting students social, emotional, and academic needs (up to 3 points).
To address this priority, an applicant may design a projects to improve students' social, emotional, academic, and career development needs, with a focus on underserved students, by creating education and work-based settings that are supportive, positive, identity-safe and inclusive, including with regard to race, ethnicity, culture, language, and disability status.
Competitive preference priority 2 is increasing postsecondary education access, affordability, completion and post-enrollment success (up to 5 points).
To address this priority, an applicant may design a project to increase postsecondary education access and reducing the cost of college by creating clearer pathways for students between institutions and making transfer of course credits more seamless and transparent (up to 2 points).
An applicant may also address this priority by establishing a system of high-quality data collection and analysis, such as data on enrollment, persistence, retention, completion, and post-college outcomes, for transparency, accountability, and institutional improvement (up to 3 points).
6. What is the recommended page limit for applications?
The recommended page limit for applications is 65 pages.
7. Is an applicant allowed to submit multiple applications?
An applicant may submit multiple applications if each separate application describes a project that will serve a different campus or a different population to include students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are historically underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system, and other disconnected students (section 402A(c)(5) of the HEA).
Under section 402A(h)(1) of the HEA, the term "different campus" means a site of an IHE that- — (a) is geographically apart from the main campus of the institution; (b) is permanent in nature; and (c) offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential.
8. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
A Student Support Services project must provide the following services:
- Academic tutoring, directly or through other services provided by the institution, to enable students to complete postsecondary courses, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects.
- Advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection.
- Information on both the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including Federal Pell Grant awards and loan forgiveness) and resources for locating public and private scholarships; and
- Assistance in completing financial aid applications, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students, including financial planning for postsecondary education.
- Activities designed to assist participants enrolled in four-year institutions of higher education in applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in, graduate and professional programs.
- Activities designed to assist students enrolled in two-year institutions of higher education in applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in, a four-year program of postsecondary education.
A Student Support Services project may provide the following services:
- Individualized counseling for personal, career, and academic matters provided by assigned counselors.
- Information, activities, and instruction designed to acquaint students participating in the project with the range of career options available to the students.
- Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students.
- Mentoring programs involving faculty or upper-class students, or a combination thereof.
- Securing temporary housing during breaks in the academic year for—
- Students who are homeless children and youths or were formerly homeless children and youths; and foster care youths.
- Programs and activities specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students who are individuals with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are foster care youth, or other disconnected students.
9. What is the duration of the average grant?
All SSS grants are funded for 60 months.
10. What is the average annual grant amount?
The estimated average grant amount is $324,456.
11. Are applicants required to have an indirect cost rate?
All grants awarded under the Student Support Services Program (84.042A) are designated as training grants. The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) limits reimbursement to grantees for indirect costs they incur under training grants to the grantee's actual indirect costs as determined by the grantee's negotiated indirect cost agreement or a maximum of 8 percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever is less. (NOTE: This limitation does not apply to State agencies, or local governments, or federally recognized Indian tribal governments. [§75.562(c) (2)].
12. How are applicants required to present Federal and non-Federal expenditures?
All applicants must fill out the Project Budget Summary Form in the SSS Application Package which can found at Grants.gov/. Applicants must also provide a detailed budget narrative for the first year of the grant performance period. The narrative must address Federal expenditures and matching contributions.
In completing the Federal section of the Project Budget Summary Form, the total requested amounts in years two through five should not exceed the total requested amount in the first year. For example, if an applicant requests $300,000 in the first year, they cannot request more than $300,000 in each subsequent year.
13. In responding to the Quality of Project Design selection criterion, what type of evidence needs to be provided?
In responding to this criterion, applicants should address how the design of the project demonstrates a rationale utilizing a logic model to demonstrate theoretical and operational relationships among the key project components and desired outcomes. Applicants should also address how they will achieve their intended goals and the ongoing efforts to examine the effects of the project components.
14. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
Generally, there is no cost matching requirement for grants funded under the Student Support Services Program. However, successful applicants that choose to use SSS Program funds to provide grant aid to students must provide matching funds, in cash, from non-federal funds source(s), in an amount that is not less than 33 percent of the total amount of the SSS Program funds used for this aid. This matching requirement does not apply to a grant recipient that is an institution of higher education eligible to receive funds under Part A or Part B of Title III or under Title V of the Higher Education Act (HEA).
15. Who is eligible to receive Prior Experience Points?
The Secretary will award up to 15 prior experience points to applicants that have conducted an SSS Program project within the last three Federal government fiscal years, based on their documented experience. Prior experience points, if any, will be added to the application's averaged reader score to determine the total score for each application.
16. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
All SSS Program grantees are required to submit an annual performance report documenting the persistence and degree attainment of their participants. Since students may take different lengths of time to complete their degrees, multiple years of performance report data are needed to determine the degree completion rates of SSS Program participants. The Department of Education will aggregate the data provided in the annual performance reports from all grantees to determine the accomplishment level.
All SSS Program grantees are required to maintain participant records that show:
- The basis for the grantee's determination that each participant is eligible to participate in the program if the student meets all of the following requirements:
- Is a citizen or national of the United States or meets the residency requirements for Federal student financial assistance.
- Is enrolled at the grantee institution or accepted for enrollment in the next academic term at that institution.
- Has a need for academic support, as determined by the grantee, in order to pursue successfully a postsecondary educational program.
- Is:
- A low-income individual;
- A first-generation college student; or
- An individual with disabilities;
- The grantee's basis for determining the academic need for each participant;
- The services that are provided to each participant;
- The performance and progress of each participant by cohort for the duration of the participant's attendance at the grantee institution; and
- To the extent practicable, any services the participant receives during the project year from another Federal TRIO program or another federally funded program that serves populations similar to those served under the SSS program.
17. Are there program-wide performance measures?
The success of the Student Support Services Program is measured by the postsecondary persistence and degree completion rates of SSS participants that remain at the grantee institution.
18. What are some ways to avoid common application mistakes?
In every SSS competition, applicants make avoidable mistakes that result in their application being rejected. To help reduce the chances that an application will be rejected for an avoidable mistake, please consider the following best practices:
Submit your application in advance of the deadline. Applications that are not fully uploaded and time-stamped by 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time on the application deadline date of July 15, 2024, are considered late and are rejected. Follow the instructions in the Application Package and Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available here.
Check your ability to submit an application and verify your System for Award Management (SAM) registration before the application deadline date. An applicant needs a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number in order to submit an application. If you do not have one, or need to renew one, the process can take weeks. Successful registration in SAM is a prerequisite to being able to register in Grants.gov and submit an application electronically. Please consult the Application Package for more information.
Adequately address the program requirements in the FY 2024 Notice Inviting Applications. Applications that fail to adequately address the program requirements are considered incomplete and will be rejected.
FY 2025
Total Projects: 1,181
FY 2024
Total Projects: 1,156
FY 2023
Total Projects: 1,159
FY 2022
Total Projects: 1,162
FY 2021
Total Projects: 1,149
GPRA Reports
The U.S. Department of Education's annual Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) report for the Student Support Services (SSS) program contains outcome data for two measures - postsecondary persistence and degree completion - and one measure of program efficiency.
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2022-23
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2023-24
Email Address
Key Staff
Division Director: James Davis
(202) 453-7814
SSS Lead: Harold Wells
(202) 453-6131
Staff Contacts
| Program Specialist | State Assignment |
| Erik Jones (202) 987-0082 | Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington |
| Jaslynn Laurence (202) 987-1917 | Alaska, California, Illinois, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee |
| Shalita Steele (202) 453-6143 | Colorado, Guam, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Wisconsin |
| Andre Swann (202) 987-0450 | Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wyoming |
| Harold Wells (202) 453-6131 | Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas |
| Ginger Allen (202) 987-1973 | Alabama
|
| Marques Thomas (202) 453-5775 | Alabama
|
| Caroline Bilderback (202) 987-1434 | Alabama
|
| Ben Witthoefft (202) 453-7576 | Alabama
|
| Carmen Gordon (202) 453-7311 | Arkansas
|
| Reggie Jackson (202) 987-1908 | Arkansas
|
| Rebecca Green (202) 453-6348 | Arkansas
|
| Antoinette Edwards (202) 453-7121 | Arkansas
|
| Emily Maldonado (202) 987-1907 | Connecticut, Idaho |
| Helen Seide (202) 219-6078 | Hawaii |
| Rachel Wiley (202) 987-0396 | North Dakota, South Dakota |
| Tahaya Buchannan (202) 453-6979 | New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada |
| Tara Lawarence (202) 260-1475 | Utah |
| Shaketa Whitehead (202) 453-7036 | Vermont |
| Alexandra Bolden (202) 987-1918 | West Virginia |
Program Description
Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. Student Support Services (SSS) projects also may provide grant aid to current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants. The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.
Types of Projects
All SSS projects must provide:
- Academic tutoring, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects;
- Advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection, assisting students with information on both the full range of student financial aid programs, benefits and resources for locating public and private scholarships; and assistance in completing financial aid applications.
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy and assist students in applying for admission to graduate and professional programs; and
- Assisting students enrolled in two-year institutions and applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in four-year programs.
The SSS projects may also provide:
- Individualized counseling for personal, career, and academic information, activities, and instruction designed to acquaint students with career options;
- Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available;
- Mentoring programs;
- Securing temporary housing during breaks for students who are homeless youths and students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system.
Reports
- Postsecondary Degree Completion Rates Among Students on the Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math-Science to Student Support Services Pathway
- Fast Facts Report for the Student Support Services Program
- Persistence and Completion in Postsecondary Education of Participants in the TRIO Student Support Services Program
- National Evaluation of Student Support Services: Examination of Student Outcomes After Six Years (2010) compares the educational outcomes of Student Support Services (SSS) program participants and non-SSS program participants six years after enrolling in college as first-year students.
- An Interim Report on the Student Support Services Program: 2002-03 and 2003-04, With Select Data From 1998-2002
- A Profile of the Student Support Services Program: 1998-1999 Through 2001-2002
- A Profile of the Student Support Services Program: 1997-99
Funding History
The historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2001 through 2024, captured in PDF and below:
| Fiscal Year | Funding Allocation | Number of Awards | Number of Participants | Average Award | Average Number of Participants | Average Cost Per Participant |
| 2024 | $379,616,682 | 1,156 | 208,343 | $328,388 | 180 | $1,822 |
| 2023 | $380,816,215 | 1,159 | 208,738 | $328,573 | 180 | $1,824 |
| 2022 | $367,195,716 | 1,162 | 209,286 | $316,003 | 180 | $1,755 |
| 2021 | $363,222,465 | 1,149 | 207,699 | $316,121 | 181 | $1,749 |
| 2020 | $365,656,182 | 1,155 | 208,746 | $316,585 | 181 | $1,752 |
| 2019 | $337,107,672 | 1,066 | 202,255 | $316,236 | 190 | $1,667 |
| 2018 | $322,608,056 | 1,069 | 202,880 | $301,785 | 190 | $1,590 |
| 2017 | $310,042,423 | 1,069 | 202,913 | $290,030 | 190 | $1,528 |
| 2016 | $302,405,536 | 1,071 | 203,290 | $282,358 | 190 | $1,488 |
| 2015 | $297,256,676 | 1,081 | 205,263 | $274,983 | 190 | $1,448 |
| 2014i | $288,631,903 | 1,027 | 202,492 | $281,044 | 197 | $1,425 |
| 2013 | $274,739,441 | 1,027 | 197,068 | $267,516 | 192 | $1,394 |
| 2012 | $290,325,810 | 1,028 | 202,750 | $282,418 | 197 | $1,432 |
| 2011 | $290,572,674 | 1,029 | 202,921 | $282,384 | 197 | $1,482 |
| 2010 | $302,514,811 | 1,034 | 204,096 | $292,568 | 197 | $1,482 |
| 2009ii | $301,525,678 | 946 | 198,057 | $318,738 | 209 | $1,522 |
| 2008 | $284,364,806 | 947 | 198,940 | $300,280 | 210 | $1,429 |
| 2007 | $271,566,777 | 949 | 199,499 | $286,161 | 210 | $1,361 |
| 2006 | $271,412,971 | 953 | 201,471 | $284,799 | 211 | $1,347 |
| 2005iii | $277,772,932 | 959 | 203,212 | $286,283 | 212 | $1,351 |
| 2004iv | $263,030,892 | 935 | 196,237 | $281,316 | 210 | $1,340 |
| 2003 | $263,650,147 | 936 | 196,716 | $281,678 | 211 | $1,340 |
| 2002v | $262,711,302 | 937 | 198,551 | $280,375 | 212 | $1,323 |
| 2001 | $254,892,170 | 944 | 199,956 | $270,013 | 212 | $1,273 |
iTotal funding includes $19,506,097 in one-time Grant Aid supplemental grants.
iiTotal funding includes $19,506,097 in one-time Grant Aid supplemental grants.
iiiSSS funding less one-time hurricane supplements: $274,545,170. Average award and cost per particiapnt based on total funding less one-time supplements.
ivThe FY 2004 funding for SSS includes $28,229,965 for grant aid.
vThe FY 2002 funding includes $3,740,000 for one-time supplemental grants for technology for some SSS projects and $28,293,179 in grant aid.
Legislation
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the Student Support Services program regulations.
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, Part 646
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Guidance
- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards - The Department worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to streamline some federal circulars into a single guidance document, and make conforming changes to Department regulations. The combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200.
Eligibility
Institutions of higher education or a combination of institutions of higher education are the only entities eligible to compete for funds under the Student Support Services program. If you have questions about eligibility, please contact OPE_TRIO@ed.gov.
Participant Eligibility for Program Services
To receive assistance, students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of postsecondary education at a grantee institution. Low-income students who are first-generation college students and students with disabilities evidencing academic need are eligible to participate in SSS projects. Two-thirds of the participants in any SSS project must be either disabled or first-generation college students from low-income families. One-third of the disabled participants must also be low-income students.
Participant Eligibility for Grant Aid
To receive SSS program grant aid, students must be current participants in the SSS project who are in their first two years of postsecondary education and receiving Federal Pell Grants. Grant aid may be offered to students who have completed their first two years of postsecondary education and are receiving Federal Pell Grants if the institution demonstrates that these students are at high risk of dropping out and it has first met the needs of all its eligible first and second-year students.
Applicant Information
This program operates on a five-year grant cycle
Last Competition: FY 2025
Next Competition: FY 2030
Applications Available: TBD
Deadline for Transmitting Applications: TBD
Federal Register Notices
Resources
- Current Low-Income Levels
- Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Q&A from Student Support Services (SSS) information webinars
- What is the purpose of the Student Support Services Program?
- What are the laws that govern the Student Support Services Program?
- What is the application deadline for the competition?
- Who is eligible to receive a SSS grant?
- Are there competitive preference priorities in the competition?
- What is the recommended page limit for applications?
- Is an applicant allowed to submit multiple applications?
- What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
- What is the duration of the average grant?
- What is the average annual grant amount?
- Are applicants required to have an indirect cost rate?
- How are applicants required to present Federal and non-Federal expenditures?
- In responding to the Quality of Project Design selection criterion, what type of evidence needs to be provided?
- Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
- Who is eligible to receive Prior Experience Points?
- What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
- Are there program-wide performance measures?
- What are some ways to avoid common application mistakes?
1. What is the purpose of the Student Support Services Program?
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.
2. What are the laws that govern the Student Support Services Program?
The SSS Program is authorized by the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008 [20 U.S.C. 1070a-11]. The law can be found here, and the regulations can be found here.
3. What is the application deadline for the competition?
The deadline for transmittal of application is 11:59 pm ET on the designated deadline day.
4. Who is eligible to receive a SSS grant?
An institution of higher education, or a consortia of institutions of higher education, is eligible to receive a grant to carry out a SSS project.
5. Are there competitive preference priorities in the competition?
There will be two competitive preference priorities for a total of up to 8 points.
Competitive preference priority 1 is Meeting students social, emotional, and academic needs (up to 3 points).
To address this priority, an applicant may design a projects to improve students' social, emotional, academic, and career development needs, with a focus on underserved students, by creating education and work-based settings that are supportive, positive, identity-safe and inclusive, including with regard to race, ethnicity, culture, language, and disability status.
Competitive preference priority 2 is increasing postsecondary education access, affordability, completion and post-enrollment success (up to 5 points).
To address this priority, an applicant may design a project to increase postsecondary education access and reducing the cost of college by creating clearer pathways for students between institutions and making transfer of course credits more seamless and transparent (up to 2 points).
An applicant may also address this priority by establishing a system of high-quality data collection and analysis, such as data on enrollment, persistence, retention, completion, and post-college outcomes, for transparency, accountability, and institutional improvement (up to 3 points).
6. What is the recommended page limit for applications?
The recommended page limit for applications is 65 pages.
7. Is an applicant allowed to submit multiple applications?
An applicant may submit multiple applications if each separate application describes a project that will serve a different campus or a different population to include students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are historically underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system, and other disconnected students (section 402A(c)(5) of the HEA).
Under section 402A(h)(1) of the HEA, the term "different campus" means a site of an IHE that- — (a) is geographically apart from the main campus of the institution; (b) is permanent in nature; and (c) offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential.
8. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
A Student Support Services project must provide the following services:
- Academic tutoring, directly or through other services provided by the institution, to enable students to complete postsecondary courses, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects.
- Advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection.
- Information on both the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including Federal Pell Grant awards and loan forgiveness) and resources for locating public and private scholarships; and
- Assistance in completing financial aid applications, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students, including financial planning for postsecondary education.
- Activities designed to assist participants enrolled in four-year institutions of higher education in applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in, graduate and professional programs.
- Activities designed to assist students enrolled in two-year institutions of higher education in applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in, a four-year program of postsecondary education.
A Student Support Services project may provide the following services:
- Individualized counseling for personal, career, and academic matters provided by assigned counselors.
- Information, activities, and instruction designed to acquaint students participating in the project with the range of career options available to the students.
- Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students.
- Mentoring programs involving faculty or upper-class students, or a combination thereof.
- Securing temporary housing during breaks in the academic year for—
- Students who are homeless children and youths or were formerly homeless children and youths; and foster care youths.
- Programs and activities specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students who are individuals with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are foster care youth, or other disconnected students.
9. What is the duration of the average grant?
All SSS grants are funded for 60 months.
10. What is the average annual grant amount?
The estimated average grant amount is $324,456.
11. Are applicants required to have an indirect cost rate?
All grants awarded under the Student Support Services Program (84.042A) are designated as training grants. The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) limits reimbursement to grantees for indirect costs they incur under training grants to the grantee's actual indirect costs as determined by the grantee's negotiated indirect cost agreement or a maximum of 8 percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever is less. (NOTE: This limitation does not apply to State agencies, or local governments, or federally recognized Indian tribal governments. [§75.562(c) (2)].
12. How are applicants required to present Federal and non-Federal expenditures?
All applicants must fill out the Project Budget Summary Form in the SSS Application Package which can found at Grants.gov/. Applicants must also provide a detailed budget narrative for the first year of the grant performance period. The narrative must address Federal expenditures and matching contributions.
In completing the Federal section of the Project Budget Summary Form, the total requested amounts in years two through five should not exceed the total requested amount in the first year. For example, if an applicant requests $300,000 in the first year, they cannot request more than $300,000 in each subsequent year.
13. In responding to the Quality of Project Design selection criterion, what type of evidence needs to be provided?
In responding to this criterion, applicants should address how the design of the project demonstrates a rationale utilizing a logic model to demonstrate theoretical and operational relationships among the key project components and desired outcomes. Applicants should also address how they will achieve their intended goals and the ongoing efforts to examine the effects of the project components.
14. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
Generally, there is no cost matching requirement for grants funded under the Student Support Services Program. However, successful applicants that choose to use SSS Program funds to provide grant aid to students must provide matching funds, in cash, from non-federal funds source(s), in an amount that is not less than 33 percent of the total amount of the SSS Program funds used for this aid. This matching requirement does not apply to a grant recipient that is an institution of higher education eligible to receive funds under Part A or Part B of Title III or under Title V of the Higher Education Act (HEA).
15. Who is eligible to receive Prior Experience Points?
The Secretary will award up to 15 prior experience points to applicants that have conducted an SSS Program project within the last three Federal government fiscal years, based on their documented experience. Prior experience points, if any, will be added to the application's averaged reader score to determine the total score for each application.
16. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
All SSS Program grantees are required to submit an annual performance report documenting the persistence and degree attainment of their participants. Since students may take different lengths of time to complete their degrees, multiple years of performance report data are needed to determine the degree completion rates of SSS Program participants. The Department of Education will aggregate the data provided in the annual performance reports from all grantees to determine the accomplishment level.
All SSS Program grantees are required to maintain participant records that show:
- The basis for the grantee's determination that each participant is eligible to participate in the program if the student meets all of the following requirements:
- Is a citizen or national of the United States or meets the residency requirements for Federal student financial assistance.
- Is enrolled at the grantee institution or accepted for enrollment in the next academic term at that institution.
- Has a need for academic support, as determined by the grantee, in order to pursue successfully a postsecondary educational program.
- Is:
- A low-income individual;
- A first-generation college student; or
- An individual with disabilities;
- The grantee's basis for determining the academic need for each participant;
- The services that are provided to each participant;
- The performance and progress of each participant by cohort for the duration of the participant's attendance at the grantee institution; and
- To the extent practicable, any services the participant receives during the project year from another Federal TRIO program or another federally funded program that serves populations similar to those served under the SSS program.
17. Are there program-wide performance measures?
The success of the Student Support Services Program is measured by the postsecondary persistence and degree completion rates of SSS participants that remain at the grantee institution.
18. What are some ways to avoid common application mistakes?
In every SSS competition, applicants make avoidable mistakes that result in their application being rejected. To help reduce the chances that an application will be rejected for an avoidable mistake, please consider the following best practices:
Submit your application in advance of the deadline. Applications that are not fully uploaded and time-stamped by 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time on the application deadline date of July 15, 2024, are considered late and are rejected. Follow the instructions in the Application Package and Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available here.
Check your ability to submit an application and verify your System for Award Management (SAM) registration before the application deadline date. An applicant needs a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number in order to submit an application. If you do not have one, or need to renew one, the process can take weeks. Successful registration in SAM is a prerequisite to being able to register in Grants.gov and submit an application electronically. Please consult the Application Package for more information.
Adequately address the program requirements in the FY 2024 Notice Inviting Applications. Applications that fail to adequately address the program requirements are considered incomplete and will be rejected.
FY 2025
Total Projects: 1,181
FY 2024
Total Projects: 1,156
FY 2023
Total Projects: 1,159
FY 2022
Total Projects: 1,162
FY 2021
Total Projects: 1,149
GPRA Reports
The U.S. Department of Education's annual Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) report for the Student Support Services (SSS) program contains outcome data for two measures - postsecondary persistence and degree completion - and one measure of program efficiency.
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2022-23
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2023-24
Email Address
Key Staff
Division Director: James Davis
(202) 453-7814
SSS Lead: Harold Wells
(202) 453-6131
Staff Contacts
| Program Specialist | State Assignment |
| Erik Jones (202) 987-0082 | Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington |
| Jaslynn Laurence (202) 987-1917 | Alaska, California, Illinois, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee |
| Shalita Steele (202) 453-6143 | Colorado, Guam, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Wisconsin |
| Andre Swann (202) 987-0450 | Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wyoming |
| Harold Wells (202) 453-6131 | Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas |
| Ginger Allen (202) 987-1973 | Alabama
|
| Marques Thomas (202) 453-5775 | Alabama
|
| Caroline Bilderback (202) 987-1434 | Alabama
|
| Ben Witthoefft (202) 453-7576 | Alabama
|
| Carmen Gordon (202) 453-7311 | Arkansas
|
| Reggie Jackson (202) 987-1908 | Arkansas
|
| Rebecca Green (202) 453-6348 | Arkansas
|
| Antoinette Edwards (202) 453-7121 | Arkansas
|
| Emily Maldonado (202) 987-1907 | Connecticut, Idaho |
| Helen Seide (202) 219-6078 | Hawaii |
| Rachel Wiley (202) 987-0396 | North Dakota, South Dakota |
| Tahaya Buchannan (202) 453-6979 | New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada |
| Tara Lawarence (202) 260-1475 | Utah |
| Shaketa Whitehead (202) 453-7036 | Vermont |
| Alexandra Bolden (202) 987-1918 | West Virginia |