LAS CRUCES, N.M. — At New Mexico State University, the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program is transforming the way students navigate college, especially when it comes to finding scholarships and building academic confidence. TRIO SSS provides students with the resources, mentorship and encouragement they need to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom.
According to Booky Bernadine, the program’s director, TRIO SSS helps students discover funding through a variety of opportunities. The program connects participants to financial literacy workshops, the FAFSA, the NMSU Nusenda Center for Financial Capability and online tools such as Smarter Finance, Student Lingo and Banzai. Students also gain access to a scholarship list on TRIO’s Canvas page, along with information about private, state and regional TRIO scholarships. In addition, the program maintains partnerships with community organizations that frequently offer scholarships for which TRIO students qualify.
Beyond scholarships, TRIO SSS ensures students stay on track academically through personalized mentoring, tutoring, pre-advising and mid-semester grade checks. The team also hosts workshops on study skills, time management and test-taking strategies giving students practical tools to succeed in college.
Bernadine said TRIO’s impact is life changing.
“Students begin to see that their goals are achievable and that they have a team invested in their success,” Bernadine said. “For many, TRIO becomes not just a program, but a supportive environment that helps them navigate college and life with purpose and determination.”
For many NMSU students, joining SSS TRIO means more than getting academic support. It means gaining access to life changing scholarship opportunities, a strong support network and a community that believes in their success. Through TRIO, students do not just learn how to manage college; they learn how to thrive in it.
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