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TRIO Scholars Program Application

The TRIO Scholars are a student support services (SSS) program and scholar community, designed to provide support, guidance, resources, and opportunities that help our students thrive in college and prepare for their futures. Our goal is to help each of our TRIO Scholars reach their full potential, both in college and as they prepare for post-graduate life.

TRIO serves up to 140 Scholars each year, and federal eligibility guidelines determine acceptance into the program.

This application collects information about each applicant and will allow the TRIO Team to determine eligibility based on US Department of Education guidelines. Please read each section carefully and answer each question to the best of your ability.

You cannot save and restart this application. You may want to review the included items, take some time to make notes and gather the required documents, and then return to submit your application. If you have any questions, please contact the Westminster TRIO team at WestminsterTRIO@westminster.edu or by phone at (724) 946-7750.

Please Note: This application asks questions about household income.  Before beginning the application, please have a copy of your household's most recently filed Federal Tax Return or other current income documentation available for reference.

Who You Are and Where You're From:
First Name *
Last Name *
Preferred Name or Nickname
Date of Birth *
Gender *
My Pronouns
Permanent Address *
Permanent Address Line 2 (If needed)
City *
State *
Zip *
Cell Phone Number *
Citizenship- Select One *
Have you previously earned a college degree? *

Are You Eligible?  Let's Find Out.

Please answer the following questions to help us determine your eligibility. Depending on your answers, we may contact you for more information or clarify your response. We may also seek supporting information from other offices on campus, such as Financial Aid, Disability Resources, Admissions, or the Registrar.

First-Generation College Student

 Please select any items that apply to you:
Before I turned 18, I primarily lived with:
only one parent/guardian who *did* have a Bachelor's degree.
only one parent/guardian who *did not* have a Bachelor's degree.
two parents/guardians and *one or both* had a Bachelor's degree.
two parents/guardians and *neither* had a Bachelor's degree.
Special Circumstances- Select any items that apply to you:
Before age 18, I was in foster care or care of the courts.
I am considered an orphan.
I am considered homeless, as defined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Before age 18, I was in legal guardianship.
I am an emancipated minor.

Student with a Disability

Select any items that apply to you:
I have a documented disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
I have registered with the Disability Resources Office to receive academic accommodations.
I am approved for a housing accommodation at Westminster College.
I am approved for an emotional support animal at Westminster College.
I previously had accommodations in high school through an IEP or 504 Plan.

If you have not registered with the Disability Resources office, we strongly encourage you to do so. To register, contact Faith Craig, Director of Disability Resources, at (724) 946-1792, or by email at craigfa@westminster.edu.

TRIO is required to verify eligibility based on disability. We will contact you to determine the best way to do so when we receive your application.

Income Eligibility

Your status as a dependent or independent student is determined by the results of your most recent FAFSA. You can learn more about the criteria that determine your status by reviewing the Federal Student Aid criteria here: Federal Student Aid Dependency Status.

 Based on my most recent FAFSA, I am considered (choose one):
A Dependent Student
An Independent Student
How many people live in your household, including yourself? *

Please answer the following questions titled Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3, related to your household income. Please complete questions for only the option that applies to your household.

  • For dependent students, provide information based on your parents/guardians' Federal Tax Return for the most recent tax year.
  • For independent students, provide information based on your own Federal Tax Return for the most recent tax year.
Option 1: My parents/guardians or I have completed a Federal Tax Return for the most recent tax year.
Please provide the household taxable income for the most recent tax year (Found on IRS Form 1040 or 1040SR, Line 15)
Option 2: My parents/guardians or I did not file a Federal Tax Return for the most recent tax year but had household income.
Please provide the total household income for the most recent tax year.
Option 3: My parents/guardians or I had no taxable income in the most recent tax year.

Review and Sign Your Application

Please read the signature instructions carefully, and sign to complete your application!

Student Signature (Required for all applications): By signing below, I certify that the information provided in this form is true and complete, to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the TRIO Scholars Program may contact me for clarification or verification of this information and that TRIO may verify information with other Westminster College offices as necessary.

Note: A drawn signature is required. Please use the signature pad below to draw your signature.
Draw your signature here: *
Signature Type: Simple    Start Over
Click here to start signing.
  • Pencil
  • Reset
Signature: (Type in your full name)
I agree to the terms included.

Parent/Guardian Signature (Required for dependent students):  By signing below, I certify that the information provided in this form is true and complete, to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the TRIO Scholars Program may contact me for clarification or verification of this information and that TRIO may verify information with other Westminster College offices as necessary.

Note: A drawn signature is required for verification purposes. If a Parent/Guardian is not present to sign the application, use the Verify by Text or Verify by email options to collect a digital signature from the parent/guardian. The TRIO Team will reach out to confirm the information and obtain a drawn signature to complete the application, as needed.

Special Instructions for Independent Students: If you are an independent student, according to your most recent FAFSA, please sign in the student signature section, make an "X" in the Parent/Guardian signature pad, and type "Independent Student". 
Select simple if a parent/guardian is not present to sign, select verify by text or email for e-sign validation *
Please select a signature verification type.

Please review your application carefully! 

Your application cannot be reviewed if information or required signatures are missing. We will contact you with questions, but your application review will be delayed.

When you're satisfied that your application is complete and accurate, click the submit button below.