TRIO Student Support Services

Brought to Campus in 2020, TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) at Tarleton State University provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and motivates students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. Participants receive individualized college support and direct access to important campus resources. TRiO SSS is FREE and provides students with mentoring, advice on post-secondary course selection, career guidance, economic literacy, and personal coaching at the Stephenville, Fort Worth, and Waco locations.

To receive assistance, students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of postsecondary education at Tarleton State. 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 potential first-generation college students from low-income families. One-third of the disabled participants must also be low-income students. (Office of Post Secondary Education, July 9, 2025)

TRIO Student Support Services has two grants funded by the Department of Education, one on the Stephenville campus and one serving the Forth Worth, Waco, and Online campuses. TRIO Programs are nationally recognized for best practices and strategies in promoting retention and graduation of its participants. We’re located in the Tarleton Center, Room 134.

We do not directly provide financial funding to students. If you need additional financial funding, please see Financial Aid, Scholarships, or Student Basic Needs and Resources for more information.

Questions can be sent to StudentSupport@Tarleton.edu

TRIO WORKS!
Don’t just take our word for it, here’s what some our graduates have to say about us!!!

Antrelle Clark

Spring 2021 Graduate- Biology Major (current PHD Candidate)

“Being a part of TRIO SSS helped me shape my career in unimaginable ways! Even though the program was new, I had already built relationships with the counselors I wouldn’t trade for the world. I could get advice and guidance or just rant and they would listen. The Tarleton TRIO SSS family will forever be my family even though I have moved on to pursuing my PhD!”

Ryan Skaggs

Spring 2026 Graduate- Criminal Justice Major (Accepted into Graduate School for Public Admin)

“This is the best program out there! Being part of the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program has genuinely transformed my academic journey.  The engaging workshops on study skills and time management have been a game changer, reassuring me and others that we can balance our studies and personal commitments more effectively.”

Azariah Bates

Fall 2024 Graduate- English Major (current Scholarship Office staff)

“Not only has TRIO been instrumental to my academic success, but they also have uplifted me personally and professionally. I have gotten so much from TRIO: a mentor, friends, and a place to belong and feel accepted. I’ve gained new hobbies, a better perspective of myself and life, and so much more that I cannot even begin to articulate. SSS has been profound in bettering me as a person.”

Salma De Reza

Fall 2023 Graduate- Nursing Major

“I want to thank you endlessly for everything you did for me! It truly means a lot when you have something like this program to support you! Thank you for always being so understanding.”

Jess Moore

Spring 2025 Graduate- Communication Studies Major (Current Communication Studies graduate Student)

“I instantly felt welcomed at TRIO SSS. I especially appreciated their office spaces which were sensory friendly and wonderfully accessible. Being a part of TRIO SSS impacted my college experience because I felt like I was part of a community where my personal/medical, academic, social, and career-based needs were acknowledged, advocated for, and directed to resources that I could access. TRIO SSS is an indisputable resource to students”

Rachel Harville

Spring 2025 Graduate- Horticulture Major

“I loved being in Trio these past 4 years. Y’all helped me when I did not know what to do. Either regarding class projects, conflicts with roommates, filling out FASFA, and even just lending an ear to listen. I really enjoyed the drop in events to learn more about things I needed help with. As well the tutor’s for helping me with my ecology, chemistry, and English. I do not think I would have been able to navigate college without you guys. Trio has truly been amazing!”

Lisset Graham

Spring 2025 Graduate- Biomedical Science Major

“I wanted to thank you and the rest of TRIO for being that extended family letting me rant and providing comfort to get through my undergrad. I truly mean it when I say I don’t think I would have made it this far without the ongoing support. I didn’t always use the resources, but knowing it was there helped me keep my sanity through it all. So thank you!”

Five people sitting around a table, engaged in discussion.

Program Components

A strong college foundation is essential to college success. TRIO SSS Services:

  • Advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection
  • Information and education about campus resources, including tutoring and SI
  • Graduate school and career preparation 
  • Promoting financial literacy, including understanding federal aid packages
  • Assistance in time management, study skills, career “soft” skills, and select academic course tutoring
  • Guidance with completing Financial aid applications (FAFSA) and scholarship searches
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Eligibility

To be eligible for services students need to:

To apply: Please select the link below
You will need to sign into your Tarleton State student @go.tarleton.edu account (with Microsoft authenticator) to access the form

Apply to Student Support Services: STEPHENVILLE Campus

Please allow 10-14 business days for the application to process.
During holidays, campus closure days, and busy times such as first week of classes and registration, applications may take longer to process. We appreciate your patience.

Apply to Student Support Services: FORT WORTH/WACO/ONLINE Campus

Staff

Rachael Caron in black blazer and white shirt with purple background.

Rachael Weldon-Caron

Assistant Vice President for TRIO Programs and First Gen Initiatives
RWELDONCARON@tarleton.edu
254-968-9369

Person smiling, wearing glasses and a black blazer with pins.

Alexis Polizzi

TRIO Student Support Services Assistant Director
polizzi@tarleton.edu 
254-968-7670

Lluvia montes in black shirt with purple background.

Lluvia Montes

TRIO Student Support Services Academic Coordinator

lmontes@tarleton.edu
254-968-1733