Apply to TRIO
Program eligibility
The TRIO Scholars and TRIO STEM Scholars programs have similar - yet separate - eligibility requirements. Learn more about these requirements below by expanding each item below.
The TRIO Scholars Program serves undergraduate students who meet the following eligibility requirements:
- *First generation: Neither parent has graduated from a four-year college or university, AND/OR
- *Income-qualified: Determined from evaluating federal taxable income information, OR
- Have a documented disability
- Academic need: Determined by a variety of academic and admissions criteria
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen/resident alien: At this moment we are unable to serve DACA students.
*2/3 of our students must be both first-generation and income qualified.
The TRIO STEM Scholars Program serves undergraduate students who meet the following eligibility requirements:
- *First generation: Neither parent has graduated from a four-year college or university, AND/OR
- *Income-qualified: Determined from evaluating federal taxable income information, OR
- Have a documented disability
- Must be pursuing STEM- or health-related sciences
- Academic need: Determined by a variety of academic and admissions criteria
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen/resident alien: At this time, we are unable to serve DACA students.
*2/3 of our students must be both first-generation and income qualified.
Income information
The term “income qualified” or "low-income individual" means an individual whose family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount. Please note that taxable income is different from gross income. These two amounts are listed separately on income tax forms. This link will provide you with the information necessary to determine if you are income qualified based on the number of individuals in your family and corresponding taxable income.
Required documents
Eligibility verification will be requested once your application has been pre-screened. These documents will only be necessary AFTER your application has been reviewed and a secondary email is sent to you.
Tax information
When requested, you will need to provide a copy of the most recent documentation of your parents' taxes (dependent students) or your taxes (independent students). We only need pages 1 and 2 from the 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ. Copies can be submitted, but they must show that the taxes were physically signed.
Transcript
You will be asked to provide a copy of your latest transcript (high school or college). This transcript can be an official or unofficial copy.
Essay
All TRIO applicants will be required to submit a brief essay based on the prompts provided in the application. Once you begin your application (by clicking on the “Apply to TRIO" link below), you will be provided with more information.
Test scores (incoming first-year students only)
All incoming first-year students (who will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno for the first time) will be required to provide their latest ACT or SAT scores.
Questions
For any questions regarding the application process, we encourage you to please contact the First Generation Student Center office (775) 784-6044.
Ready to apply to TRIO?
The TRIO Classic & STEM Scholars application period for fall 2024 opened on March 1, 2024, and is scheduled to close on June 30, 2024.