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TRIO

Biola TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded cohort program that helps first-generation, low-income and/or students with disabilities ÌÒ»¨ÊÓƵ with their bachelor’s degree. We are one of over 3,500 TRIO programs across the U.S. and serve up to 140 students enrolled in on-campus degree programs each year.

Eligiblity

Become a TRIO Student

To be eligible to participate in TRIO, students must be either enrolled in an on-campus degree program or accepted for on-campus enrollment in the next academic term. All majors and class years are encouraged to apply if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be a first-generation college student (i.e. neither parent earned a bachelor's degree in the United States)
  • Meet , based on your families taxable income as determined by the U.S. Department of Education
  • Be able to provide documentation of a diagnosed disability or be registered with the

Application Deadline

Applications will be live starting in January 2026. More information coming soon.

Contact Us

Email: trio@biola.edu
Location: Rose Hall (next to the Mosaic Cultural Center)

Office Hours

Regular Hours: 8–5 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Closed on observed holidays.

Program Benefits

Individualized Coaching

TRIO students will meet with their dedicated success advisor to discuss concerns and campus resources, and receive a success plan recommending the use of various TRIO services to achieve their academic, career and personal goals. These meetings occur weekly during the first semester, bi-weekly in the second semester and monthly in subsequent semesters to track progress.

Peer Mentor Program

Every year, three second-year peer mentors are selected to offer supplemental advising in various academic subjects and study skills. Mentors will introduce first-year TRIO mentees to various campus resources and plan community events.

Note: These are paid positions.

Academic Enrichment Programming

TRIO students will have the opportunity to attend regular on-campus performances, exhibitions, film screenings and Q&A with film creatives as a community. Regional opportunities include visiting ÌÒ»¨ÊÓƵ schools and cultural institutions, including museums and historical sites — all free of charge.

    TRIO students will have access to the following support options, based on their individualized success plan:

    Academic Support

    • Study Skills Workshops: These workshops will cover topics essential for collegiate success, such as time management, calendaring and following a syllabus.
    • Tutoring: TRIO partners with the Office of Student Accessibility to provide expanded one-on-one tutoring hours for TRIO students free of charge. Tutors have been highly recommended by course faculty.
    • Priority Access to the Lending Library: Each semester, TRIO students are invited to browse and borrow textbooks from the Lending Library ahead of the broader Biola student community.
    • Laptop Rentals: TRIO students will have access to several laptops for short-term use on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Career Support

    • Career Launch Academy: A free 3-week experience, proven to help students proactively create relationships with professionals and launch effective job and internship searches in the hidden job market, led by one of Biola’s career specialists.
    • Summer Internship Grant: Eligible students will be encouraged to apply for annual one-time grant awards per credit for summer internship or fieldwork courses.
    • Career Workshops: Led by career specialists, sessions will cover topics such as exploring career options, writing a resume and cover letter and applying for ÌÒ»¨ÊÓƵ school.

    Financial Support

    • Student Loans 101: A workshop for all first-year TRIO students, covering types of loans, reducing loan amounts and repayment plans.
    • Financial Wellness Plan: On a yearly basis, TRIO students will meet with their success advisor to create a financial plan tailored to their career and/or ÌÒ»¨ÊÓƵ school goals and to address immediate financial concerns.
    • Tuition Grant: TRIO students identified with the greatest unmet financial need will be eligible for one-year micro-grants.
    • Financial and Economic Literacy Workshops: Led by the faculty advisor to the Financial Planning Association, sessions will cover topics such as budgeting, FAFSA completion, federal financial aid policies and credit management.

    Mental Health Support

    • Counseling and workshops: The Biola Counseling Center provides two full-time counseling interns to provide drop-in, individual and group counseling sessions, as well as mental health workshops. Psychology interns work as full-time clinicians, under supervision, as the last step before receiving their Psy.D. or Ph.D.
    • Scholarships to the Biola Counseling Center: Sixteen TRIO students with the highest identified need for mental health support will be eligible for up to 12 counseling sessions at no cost.