Supports First-Generation, Low-Income, and Students with Disabilities Through
Federal grant will support student success and equity across four Vermont campuses
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University (VTSU) has been awarded $6 million in federal funding to continue its TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) programs, an investment that will directly benefit hundreds of first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities across four campuses. The five-year grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, will provide $1.2 million annually to support academic success, degree completion, and equitable access to higher education at VTSU’s Johnson, Williston, Randolph, and Castleton campuses.
This award marks the continuation of TRIO SSS services at these campuses, reinforcing VTSU’s long-standing commitment to educational access. Since their inception, these programs have helped thousands of students persist in college, earn degrees, and build meaningful careers.
“This continued investment in TRIO Student Support Services reflects Vermont State University’s deep commitment to preparing all students for meaningful work and responsible citizenship,” said VTSU President David Bergh. “By fostering intellectual, personal, and creative growth within an accessible and inclusive community, we ensure that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive. TRIO SSS exemplifies our mission in action, connecting students with the support they need to succeed while strengthening the communities we serve across Vermont and beyond.”
Through individualized services including academic tutoring, financial aid, scholarship guidance, career exploration, personal and academic counseling, and mentoring, TRIO SSS empowers students to overcome barriers to success. These comprehensive supports make it significantly more likely that students will complete their degree or successfully transfer, with the lowest possible debt.
Kelley Beckwith, Vice President of Student Success at VTSU, added, “We are honored to continue this critical work. The TRIO SSS program provides holistic, individualized support that empowers students to navigate the complexities of college life with confidence and resilience. This funding enables students, especially those who are the first in their family to attend college, to succeed at higher levels, develop lasting connections with mentors, and meet their educational goals.”
VTSU has also submitted proposals for two new TRIO SSS programs—one at the Lyndon campus and another focused on Disability Services. Funding decisions for those proposals are still pending. In total, VTSU offers seven TRIO programs across its campuses, including three Upward Bound programs and the McNair Scholars Program.
Nationally, TRIO SSS has a proven track record. A 2019 U.S. Department of Education evaluation found that students in SSS at four-year institutions were 18% more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than their peers not in the program.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our TRIO team, whose efforts have directly impacted the lives of countless students,” shared Jennifer Jones, Associate Vice President of Academic Support and Educational Opportunity Programs at VTSU. “We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue this work and remain committed to expanding access, fostering academic success, and promoting equity across all VTSU campuses.”
“TRIO programs generally and TRIO SSS, in particular, transforms students from the least resourced backgrounds into college graduates,” said Kimberly Jones, President of the Council for Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C. “This vital program makes all the difference for nearly a million students each year across the country.”
TRIO SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. Since 1968, SSS has helped millions of students graduate from college and contribute to their communities and the economy.
For more information about TRIO Student Support Services at Vermont State University, visit: https://vermontstate.edu/academics/student-success/academic-support/trio/
About Vermont State University
Vermont State University provides a high-quality, flexible, and affordable education for students seeking associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, certificates, and in-demand professional credentials. The university builds upon a history of public higher education in Vermont dating back to 1787. More information about Vermont State University can be found here: https://vermontstate.edu
About the Federal TRIO Programs
TRIO programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program) help students overcome academic, economic, and social barriers to higher education. TRIO services include assistance in choosing a college and tutoring; personal, financial, and career counseling; assistance in applying to college; workplace and college visits; special instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and mathematics; assistance in applying for financial aid; and academic assistance in high school or assistance to reenter high school or college.
7.9.2025. MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont State University
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