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TRIO SSS Background and Goals

TRIO SSS is a free U.S. Department of Education program designed to increase the college retention and graduation rates of students whose parents did not graduate from a four-year college, or who are low-income, or who have a disability.

Established in 1964, TRIO SSS programs are hosted by colleges and universities in all 50 states, as well as several U.S. territories. They currently serve nearly 400,000 students.

TRIO Student Support Services is funded through the U.S. Department of Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2025-26, Normandale Community College was awarded with  $274,364 for the traditional Student Support Services grant, and $272,364 for the STEM and Health Sciences Student Support Services grant. Normandale generously provides additional funding for student events, catering services, staff training and supplies.

TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES GOALS

Normandale’s TRIO SSS coaches are accountable for achieving the following goals:

  • Persistence Goal: 59% of all participants served by Normandale TRIO SSS will persist from one academic year to the beginning of the next academic year or earn an associate's degree or certificate from Normandale Community College and/or transfer to a four-year institution by the fall term of the next academic year.
  • Performance Goal: 65% of all enrolled TRIO SSS participants served will meet the performance level required to stay in good academic standing at Normandale Community College. Good academic standing at Normandale is defined as a cumulative earned grade point average of at least 2.0 and an accumulated earned credit rate of at least 67%.
  • Completion Goal: 20% of new participants served each year will graduate from Normandale Community College with an associate’s degree or certificate within four years.
  • Persistence Goal: 70% of all participants served by Normandale TRIO SSS will persist from one academic year to the beginning of the next academic year or earn an associate's degree or certificate from Normandale Community College and/or transfer to a four-year institution by the fall term of the next academic year.
  • Performance Goal: 72% of all enrolled TRIO SSS participants served will meet the performance level required to stay in good academic standing at Normandale Community College. Good academic standing at Normandale is defined as a cumulative earned grade point average of at least 2.0 and an accumulated earned credit rate of at least 67%.
  • Completion Goal: 24% of new participants served each year will graduate from Normandale Community College with an associate’s degree or certificate within four years.
Kaitlyn, a TRIO student.

“One of my biggest fears about college was that I wasn’t going to fit in: I was older than everyone else and didn’t know the system. Everyone [in TRIO] was super nonjudgmental and it was immensely helpful that I could ask the most basic questions. The support you get in a program like TRIO can make or break your experience in school."

Kaitlin McKinley , TRIO Student

Contact

TRIO Support Student Services

Triosss@normandale.edu

952-358-8285

L 1735-49

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm

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