Welcome to the TRiO Program!

Skyline College's TRiO program, which began in 1980, is a federally-funded Student Support Services program designed to help first generation, low-income students, including students with disabilities, who have a goal to graduate with an Associate’s degree and transfer to a four-year college or university. The TRiO Program provides students with a rich variety of services designed to provide academic, personal, and social support to achieve their dreams.  The program serves 330 students each year.

What Services Does TRiO Offer?

  • Academic, career and personal counseling
  • Financial aid and scholarship assistance
  • Academic support, such as tutorial assistance, study skills workshops, mentors, and access to computers
  • Transfer planning
  • Cultural enrichment activities
  • Visits to four-year institutions.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for TRiO, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have academic need, and meet one or more of the following requirements:

  • Be a first generation college student (neither parent has a bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in the United States)
  • Be from a low-income family
  • Have a documented learning difference and/or physical disability
  • Must have a goal to graduate with an associate’s degree AND transfer to a four-year college.

To apply for the TRiO program, please call (650)738-4144, or stop by the Learning Center, located on the first floor of Building 5, Room 5100.

To receive TRiO services

  • Submit completed application to TRiO Staff Assistant
  • If invited, attend intake session with TRiO Director
  • If accepted into TRiO, meet with the TRiO Counselor and the English or Math Coordinators.

How do I get tutoring assistance if I’m in TRiO?

TRiO students should enroll in MATH 650 for math assistance and/or ENG 650 for writing assistance.  TRiO students can enroll in LSKL 800 for assistance in other subjects.  Please speak to the TRiO Counselor if you have any questions.

Who do I work with?

The TRiO Director is Nohel Corral.  TRiO applicants must complete an intake interview with the TRiO Director to determine eligibility to participate in the program.    

The TRiO Counselors are Jessica Lopez, Marisa de Castro Mariano, and Javier Urena. Students need to meet with a TRiO counselor twice a semester to review educational plan, discuss academic support needs, and review transfer plans.

For help with English, Reading, and ESOL, the English Lab Coordinator is Leigh Anne Sippel.   TRiO students should make appointments with Professor Sippel to devise a study plan at the beginning of the semester.

For help with math, the Math Lab Coordinator is John Chavez.  TRiO students should make appointments with Professor Chavez to devise a study plan at the beginning of the semester.

History of the TRiO Programs

TRiO programs are the result of two acts of legislation that are an important part of American history: the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, known as the War on Poverty statute, and the Higher Education Act of 1965, which asserted a national commitment to providing educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnicity or economic circumstance. In support of this commitment, Congress established a series of programs to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life.  Our TRiO Program is funded through Student Support Services at the U.S. Department of Education.


Go to Sidebar Content