TRIO Student Support Services
TRIO is a federally funded program that supports students at Albion College by building community, developing strategies for academic success, and offering resources for continued learning well beyond college. Our mission is to increase retention and graduation rates at Albion for our TRIO Brits.
What is TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)?
TRIO Student Support Services begins each year with the Summer Bridge program for incoming freshmen. Summer Bridge programming includes financial aid and literacy counseling, college success strategies, campus cultural events, and meeting faculty and staff. We then transition to the academic year programming that includes success coaching, peer-mentoring, financial aid and literacy counseling, TRIO 101 & 201, college visits, and cultural trips. Most importantly, our students do these activities together, creating community and peer-to-peer relationships, which can last beyond graduation.
Who is Eligible for Albion College TRIO?
As a federally funded program, we are only able to consider U.S. citizens, permanent residents pursuing their first bachelor’s degree, or refugees.
They must also meet at least one of the following criteria:
- First-generation – primary parent, caregiver, or guardian has not earned a bachelor’s degree.
- Your family’s taxable income (after deductions) meets federal income eligibility guidelines based on household size.
- You have a documented permanent physical or learning disability that impacts your educational experience.
- TRIO Student Support Services reserves the right to consider life circumstances and other criteria that may impact student eligibility. A sub-committee of TRIO-SSS and Albion College staff determine acceptance and document final decisions.
Interested in becoming a TRIO Brit? Albion College students are welcome to complete our application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that submission of an application is not direct acceptance into the TRIO program.
What are the benefits of joining our TRIO program?
A wide range of academic, cultural, and career learning opportunities, including:
- Summer Bridge for first-year students
- Holistic advising
- Academic support
- Community/Peer Mentor support
- Financial literacy
- Cultural visits
- Graduate school assistance and visits
- Post-college exploration
- Member of a national network of TRIO students and TRIO alumni
Apply to TRIO
Interested in joining TRIO? Students are welcome to complete our application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis to verify eligibility. Please note that submission of an application is not a direct acceptance into the TRIO program.

New Students
For first-year students who are planning on attending the 2023-24 academic year.
Apply to TRIO
Peer Mentor Program
Peer mentors are student staff members who provide leadership for participants in the TRIO SSS program. Mentors are typically Junior and Senior participants who assist in achieving the program goals including community building, campus navigating, and peer support. All mentors are trained by SSS staff and adhere to specific guidelines as it relates to supporting participants.
Summer Bridge
Incoming students begin their TRIO Student Support Service experience with the Summer Bridge (SB) Program. During the SB program, students will have the opportunity to learn college success strategies, participate in cultural experiences, and meet with their new faculty and staff. Most importantly, our students do these activities together, creating community and peer-to-peer relationships which last beyond graduation.
The TRIO SSS Summer Bridge Program will run from Friday, August 11 – Wednesday, August 23, at which point students will begin their Albion College orientation program, Albion-O, on Thursday, August 24 and complete their Summer Bridge Program wrap-up.
To participate in the summer bridge program please complete the TRIO SSS application for prospective students. Once the application is complete we will send students a registration form for the summer bridge program.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact either Jamilia Johnson or Jackie Gutierrez
Jackie Gutierrez
TRIO Student Support Services Program Director
Office: Stockwell 203
Email: jgutierrez@albion.edu
Phone: 517-629-0950
Jamilia Johnson
TRIO Student Support Services Coordinator, Success Coach
Office: 103
Email: jajohnson@albion.edu
Phone: 517-629-0285