What is TRIO?
The TRIO Future Educator Success Program is a United States Department of Education federally funded grant program that promotes the success, retention and graduation of future teachers from Western Michigan University. TRIO FESP works with teaching majors who are first-generation, income-eligible students or students with disabilities to help them work toward graduation by offering the following services:
- Career exploration
- Financial assistance
- Graduate school exploration
- Leadership opportunities
- Opportunity to attend conferences
- Speedy access to advisors
- Tutors and mentors
- Volunteer opportunities
The TRIO Future Educator Success Program is a selective program designed to serve teaching majors. TRIO FESP staff are here to work with eligible students throughout their time at Western Michigan University to help them meet their personal, professional, and educational goals while having fun, meeting new people, and learning skills to help them be successful in college and their future teaching careers.
Who is eligible?
- Students pursing a major that leads to teacher certification.
- First-generation students; neither parent has completed a bachelors degree.
- Students who are income-eligible; determined by federal taxable income guidelines.
- Students with a disability; determined by WMU's Disability Services.
Program benefits
Students enrolled in TRIO FESP may be eligible for the following benefits:
- Caring, knowledgeable staff: TRIO's well-trained, knowledgeable and compassionate staff are always available to help you solve problems.
- Job opportunities: Members will be given first priority for jobs within the program as tutors, mentors, and office staff.
- Priority registration: Active TRIO participants who have completed all program requirements can register for classes on the first day of undergraduate registration, even before the junior and senior students!
- Scholarship opportunities: $11,000 in scholarships is available for freshman and sophomore Pell Grant recipients. The College of Education and Human Development also sets aside $25,000 in scholarships available only to program participants.
- Speedy access to advisors: Academic advising tailored to your specific career goals. You can see your College of Education and Human Development advisor with little or no wait time and can schedule appointments almost any day.
- Tutors and mentors: Peer tutors and mentors will be available to help with classes, general study skills, and to provide assistance with MTTC Professional Readiness Exam and Subject Area Test preparation.
