Program Contact Information:

Address: 701 North C Street, Indianola, IA 50125

Phone: 515-961-1230 I Email: Carissa.Deming@simpson.edu

Website: Simpson College TRIO SSS Program Website

2026-2027 TRIO SSS Program Student Application

What is TRIO SSS?

TRIO-Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded program designed to provide academic support, cultural activities, and personal development programming. Services provided to program participants are based on the Plan of Operation described in the federal grant proposal and approved by the US Department of Education. 

Application Instructions: 

Please complete the application in full in one sitting as it will not save your progress. We ask that you answer each question, but please note that those marked with an * are required for submission.

Part 1: Personal Data

 
Last Name *
First Name *
Middle Name
Permanent Address *
Permanent City *
Permanent State *
Permanent Zip *
Date of Birth *
Gender *
U.S. Citizen *
Permanent Resident *
For permanent residents only, A#:
Simpson College School ID
Campus Mailbox #
Cell Phone Number *
Email Address *
Class Level
Marital Status

Part 2: Race/Ethnicity

Must choose at least one. 
American Indian
Black/African American
Alaskan Native
White
Asian
Native Hawaiin/Pacific Islander
Do you identify as Hispanic?

Part 4: Educational Information
High School Name
City & State of High School
High School Graduation Date
Are you a transfer student?
If yes, please list your: Previous College, Date of Last Attendance, Degrees Earned
Have you earned prior college credits?
Approximate Number of Prior Credits Earned
Enrollment Status at Simpson *
Intended Major (if undecided, write "Undecided")
Intended Minor
How were you referred to TRIO Student Support Services?
Have you been part of a TRIO program prior to Simpson College?
If yes, where?
If yes, which program?

Part 5: Needs Assessment

Utilizing the following scale, indicate the response that best reflects your skills/confidence as a student:

1 = very low; 2 = low 3 = satisfactory 4 = high 5 = very high
Grades *
Motivation *
Self-discipline *
Confidence *
Comfortable in Social Settings *
Punctual *
Perseverance *
Intellectual Interest *
English Proficiency *
Study Habits *
Knowledge of college academic Expectations *
Attitude toward college *
Sense of financial security *
Family emotional support *
Academic preparedness *

Check any of the following areas that you feel you need to improve on:
Math Skills
Listening Skills
Study Skills
Time Management
Writing Skills
Concentration
Test-taking
Computer Skills
Reading Skills
Memorization
Note-taking
Procrastination

Check the Services offered by the Simpson College SSS program that you think you would use:
Online Tutoring
Academic Advising
Guidance in Choosing a Major
Career Guidance
Goal Setting
Financial Aid/Scholarship Advising
Exposure to Cultural Activities
Stress Management
Peer Mentoring
Group Study Sessions
Graduate School Guidance
Understanding Degree Requirements/Academic Planning
Financial Literacy Workshops
What do you see as the biggest obstacle or challenge you will face at Simpson College as you work to achieve your educational and career goals? *
Briefly explain why you should be accepted to the TRIO SSS Program and how you will use the services to help you succeed. *

Program Eligibility: In order to participate in TRIO-SSS, students must meet at least one of three criteria

  • Be a first-generation student
  • Have a documented disability
  • Meet TRIO income guidelines (updated each year by the US Department of Education)

Completing Parts 6-8 will allow TRIO-SSS staff to determine the student eligibility. All information will be maintained confidentially in the participant's file.

Part 6: First-Generation Status Verification 

The term "first-generation college student" refers to students who meet any of the three following criteria:

1. A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parent(s) completed a bachelor's degree.

2. A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not complete a bachelor's degree.

3. An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or adoptive parent. 

 
According to the above definition, I am a first-generation college student: *
Highest educational level or grade your parents completed. Check one for each parent.
Parent 1: *
Parent 2 *
Currently Reside with: *

Part 7: Disabilities Verification
Do you have a documented physical and/or learning disability? *
If yes, do you have appropriate documentation on file with the Simpson College Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Office?

If not, please send your appropriate documentation to the TRIO-SSS Director, Carissa Deming. Official documentation must be on file in order for you to qualify for SSS as a student with a disability.

Email: Carissa.Deming@simpson.edu

USPS Mail: 701 North C Street, Attn: TRIO-SSS, Indianola, IA 50125

Part 8: Financial Aid Status and Income Verification

How do I determine if I'm a dependent student or an independent student?

- If you report both your and your parents’ information of the FAFSA, you are a dependent student.

- If you report your own information only (and, if you’re married, your spouse’s) on the FAFSA, you are an independent student.

How do I know if I received a Federal Pell Grant?

 
Federal Pell Grants typically are awarded to undergraduate students with low or moderate income.

You can log in to your StudentAid.gov account to see if you received a Pell Grant. FAFSA.gov displays information about the aid you received, including Pell Grants, on your “My Grants” page.
Have you completed the 2026-2027 FAFSA? *
If yes, do you qualify for a Pell Grant?
For FAFSA purposes, are you a Dependent or Independent student? *

In accordance with 20 U.S. Code 1070a-11 - Program authority; authorization of appropriations, appropriate documentation of status as a low-income, dependent individual can be provided in one of the following forms: 

  • a signed 2025 United States or Puerto Rico income tax return
  • a signed statement verifying 2025 Taxable Income (see sections A and B following) 
  • verification from another governmental source

Statement of Income: Please Complete ONLY the section pertaining to you

A. Dependent Students - Please provide the name and contact information of the parent(s)/guardian(s) who contributes to your FAFSA so we can request that they can provide their income information. 

OR 

B. Independent Students - Please complete the income verification form below. 

A. Dependent Student (to be completed by the student)

Please complete the three fields below by providing the contact information for your parent(s) or guardian(s) who contributed information on your 2026-2027 FAFSA then and sign this section of the application

NOTE: if you are an Independent Student, please enter NA into the fields below and sign to verify your status as an independent student.
Parent/Guardian 1 Full Name *
Parent/Guardian 1 Email Address *
Parent/Guardian 1 Cell Phone Number *
Parent/Guardian 2 Full Name (Optional)
Parent/Guardian 2 Email Address (Optional)
Parent/Guardian 2 Cell Phone Number (Optional)

By signing below I:

1. Certify that the information listed above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

2. Agree that by providing my parent/guardian's contact information, I give my permission for a SSS staff member to reach out and request that my parent/guardian complete the income verification form.
Student Signature (Required) *
Signature Type: Simple    Start Over
Click here to start signing.
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Signature: (Type in your full name)
I agree to the terms included.

B. Independent Student (to be completed by the student). 

Please answer questions 1, 2, and 3 below:

NOTE: if you are a Dependent Student, please enter NA into the to fields below and sign to verify your status as a dependent student.
1. 2025 STUDENT'S taxable income from taxes prepared:(use line 15 on IRS from 1040: $ *
2. Total number of individuals in household. (Include yourself and other people if they now live with you, and you provide more than half of their support and will continue to provide more than half of their support between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027) *
3. I certify that the information listed here is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signature Type: Simple    Start Over
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Signature: (Type in your full name)
I agree to the terms included.

Part 9: Campus Involvement and Educational Goals
Do/will you participate in intercollegiate athletics? *
If Yes, What Sport?
Do/will you work (on or off campus) during the school year? *
If Yes: How many hours do/will you work each week?
Do you have Educational Goals? *
If so, what are they?
Do you have Career Goals? *
If so, what are they?

Kickstart your experience at Simpson College with Storm Connect!

What is TRIO SSS Storm Connect?

Sponsored by Student Support Services (SSS), Storm Connect is a pre-fall one week introduction to college life and the Simpson community.  Approximately 15 first-year students have the opportunity to kick-start their academic and social transition to college through this unique program.  As part of Storm Connect, students receive a variety of FREE services prior to the start of the fall semester and move to campus a week earlier than other students.

What are the Benefits of Storm Connect?

  • Move into your fall on-campus housing one week early
  • Take a free, 1-credit Academic Writing course
  • Receive free supplies and backpack to use during Storm Connect
  • Meet some of your new classmates, Simpson staff, and faculty
  • Learn about Simpson College and how to be a successful student
  • Participate in workshops, recreational, and team-building activities
  • Participate in a service project
  • Connect with SSS Peer Mentors, who help new students make the transition to college

 
Are you interested in being considered for Storm Connect? *

Part 10: Release of Information

I acknowledge that by applying for this program, I authorize TRIO/Student Support Services to confer with Simpson College faculty and staff to gather the necessary information to provide program services, and to make reports to the U.S. Department of Education in accordance with grant funding regulations.  I understand that the information will be kept confidential and will be used for the following specified purposes:  a) student demographic data and recordkeeping, b) program evaluation, c) needs assessment, d) federal reporting, and e) other administrative purposes.

I am granting permission for the Student Support Services staff at Simpson College to have access to my academic and financial aid records. Additionally, I am granting permission to the Simpson College Student Accessibility Services office (SAS so that SAS may confirm receipt of disability documentation to determine my eligibility for the TRIO/SSS program.

I am aware that personal information provided to the TRIO/Student Support Services program will be protected under the Federal Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.

I understand that the completion of this application does not guarantee acceptance to the Simpson College TRIO/Student Support Services program.

Part 11: Affidavit of Truth Statement

I certify that the information provided on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. 
Student Signature *
Signature Type: Simple    Start Over
Click here to start signing.
  • Pencil
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Signature: (Type in your full name)
I agree to the terms included.