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2025-2026 TRIO Application TRIO Tour TRIO Alumni

Happy 1st Generation Day

 

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Paige Deyo - Am I supposed to look at the camera?
Joey Fasso - You're a little bit less serious.
Megan Brozik - Hi, my name is Megan Brozik.
Morgan Plucker - I'm Morgan.
Brooklyn Anderson - My name's Brooklyn Anderson.
Katelyn Vocu - My name's Katelyn Vocu.
Joey Fasso - I'm Joey Fasso and I'm from Benkleman, Nebraska.
Zak Cina - Rapid City, South Dakota.
Seth Gustafson - I'm from Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Amber Potter - Faulkton, South Dakota.
Brooklyn Anderson - I am first.
Morgan Plucker - I am first.
Seth Gustafson - I am first.
Paige Deyo - Hi, my name is Paige Deyo. I'm from Newcastle, Wyoming and I am a first generation student. 
Brooklyn Anderson - It's definitely exciting, but it can definitely be challenging as well because you don't know what you're getting yourself into. 
Megan Brozik - I was really nervous about making friends when I came here. 
Katelyn Vocu - I had a lot of irrational fears. I was -- every college movie I've seen, I've never seen anyone have a backpack on, and I was worried about if I should bring a backpack. 
Seth Gustafson - I think it's, it's good to have change. I think with change it kind of gives yourself new challenges to overcome which in turn kind of make you a better person. 
Paige Deyo - Just take advantage of everything, all the opportunities, go to all the games, make all the new friends.
Kayla McCloskey - Give it a shot, and you're not going to realize what you're capable of.
Zak Cina - Have those people in your network, whether it's an advisor or other friends through TRIO that no one understand what it's like to be a first generation student because you're not alone. 
Brooklyn Anderson - With a small campus, it's so nice that when you walk into the classroom they know your name, and that is something huge to me because I just feel like "oh" they care about my learning and me as an individual.
Morgan Plucker - Like if you feel that because no one in your family's done it before that you can't do it, just be that first person to do it. And it starts a completely different cycle that's way more rewarding than you realize at the time. 
Madisyn Backes - College is kind of talked down upon, especially in today's world. It's just expensive, but I think there's a lot of value that comes with the experience of it. 
Megan Brozik - I'm always excited to see first gen students here because they are starting their own journey.
Zak Cina - It's big and scary, but you're bigger and scarier.
Joey Fasso - I've always stuck by this philosophy and I had to realize it kind of later in college, but it was to seize the opportunities your ancestors didn't have. You know, if you're a first generation student, more than likely, you know, your grandparents didn't get these opportunities, your parents didn't get these opportunities, and now it's your turn.

 

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Narrator
Since 1964, TRIO Programs have been providing a pathway to post-secondary education and the workforce. Established under President Johnson, these federally funded student assistance programs support limited income and first generation students, as well as as students with disabilities, helping them achieve academic success. From Talent Search and Upward Bound to Student Support Services, and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, TRIO provides critical services and resources to help students overcome challenges. The 12 TRIO programs in South Dakota can be found in nearly 30 and middle and high schools across the state, as well as on six college campuses. Collectively, TRIO assists over 2,7000 South Dakota students each year. TRIO works because all students should have the opportunity to succeed.
Shay
Well, it's kind of hard just being on your own for the first time. I mean, I didn't know what the heck to do, so I had to figure that out.
Randi
You know it definitely just made it a little bit scary, like, okay, how am I going to pay for this? How am I going to do all this?
Malory
If you are perfect at everything, college would be useless, so you know, you come to college to learn, to struggle, to grow. You'd be wasting your time if you weren't struggling.
Crystal
I decided to go to college because I want to utilize my knowledge to help my family and those in need.
Mariah
I may have felt like I couldn't succeed in life because no one else in my family has, but I want to, I wanted to break that cycle so that I can help my, like, the younger generations under me.
Doodles
College, it definitely gives like a new sense of meaning to life, kind of. College is just opportunity, really.
Isaac
Um, just trying to be the best version of myself, and um, helping the people around me, because to help somebody, you have to know what you're doing first.
Shay
It made me find my passion. I didn't know what I, like, liked when I got here. I had no idea, like wow, I found my passion, finally.
Rodger
The advisers have been a reason why I keep coming to TRIO and why I stayed with TRIO. The advisors really do care about you.
Maija
They're there to just help you succeed in any way, and so they're just trying to help you reach your goals.
Nicc
My journey throughout TRIO was really helpful. It kept me going. It helped me not to give up on some things.
Malory
For me, like, it was really hard to believe in myself. So when I couldn't believe in myself, I was able to believe in my mentors, because they saw something in me I never could.
Mario
The advisors there at TRIO, they're very easy to communicate with, you know. If you have a problem, they almost treat it like it's theirs, and they'll do anything in their power to kind of help you or at least guide you to the right direction.
Malory
I mean, there's a version that I found in college that I never would have met if I stayed in my hometown and I love that version of myself. It kind of puts hope where hope wasn't always there.
Maija
If it, honestly, wasn't for TRIO and like what they did for me, I don't think I'd be graduating at the end of the year.
Mario
Because of TRIO I am empowered to accomplish my personal and academic goals.
Doodles
Because of TRIO, I'm a changed man, for the better.
Randi
Because of TRIO, I am prepared for my future.
Maija
Because of TRIO, I am making new connections.
Nicc
Because of TRIO, I am free.
Rodger
Because of TRIO, I am successful.
Crystal
Because of TRIO, I am a mechanical engineer.
Isaac
Because of TRIO, I am confident.
Malory
Because of TRIO, I am a life-long learner.
Shay
Because of TRIO, I'm graduating in May.

Student Support Services (SSS) is one of seven federal TRIO programs, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, for students who are serious about graduating from college. SSS helps students to stay in college until they earn their baccalaureate degrees. If you are willing to take advantage of academic, financial, and other services to achieve your goals, contact us today at 605.642.6824.

Eligibility:
Students can qualify for SSS if they meet one of three eligibility criteria identified by the U.S. Department of Education. Congress authorized TRIO programs to serve students who qualify under the following guidelines:

  • Low Income:
    Taxable income (adjusted gross income minus deductions and exemptions - line 10 of the 1040 Tax Return) falls below the levels in this chart. (Students must supply a copy of the 2019 federal income tax return for parents if dependent or themselves if independent.)
  • First Generation:
    Neither parent (natural or adoptive) has completed a 4-year bachelor's degree.
  • Disability:
    Documentation of a physical, psychological, or learning disability that may limit the student's ability to participate in educational experiences and opportunities in college.

Students who meet one or more of these criteria and who are U.S. citizens (or nationals of the U.S. or meet the residency requirements for federal student financial assistance) are eligible to apply. 

Students who are selected must demonstrate academic potential and academic need, as indicated by ACT scores, high school grades or class rank, possession of a GED, instructor recommendations, previous college attempts, and other factors.

Ready to Apply: Fill out the application online at the link above or visit the SSS office in Woodburn Hall Office #139 or send an email to Ashley Kirchner to get started.

SSS Makes a Difference...
'I have fought every step for a better education. TRIO has helped on the journey of not only finding the perfect place to earn my degree but to help find myself in the process. I have never been happier than I am right now. I am working toward what I love and having a great time in the meantime. TRIO has helped with school [and] with social problems - they are like a family away from home. I feel comfortable going to anyone in the TRIO office about any problem I may have. The people in TRIO are caring people and [it] does not matter...who a person may be or what has happened. It is a close group of amazing people that will stand together to help each other succeed. Anyone who has been part of TRIO is truly blessed. TRIO is much more than just another program on campus.' - Amanda, 2nd year student