From Staff Reports

The University of North Carolina Asheville  is the recipient of a $1.3 million federal TRIO grant from the U.S. Department of Education, disbursed over a five-year period, UNCA announced in an Oct. 13 press release.

The highly competitive grant – the first TRIO grant the university has received – will be used to establish and run a TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program that will serve first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities by providing holistic and targeted support with the goal of lowering their risk for attrition or not completing their degree, the release noted. The program will be fully funded by this federal grant, with no expenditures funded by non-governmental sources.

"The TRIO SSS Program will begin in spring 2026, with 140 students enrolled in the program every semester over the duration of the grant," the release stated.
"Students meeting federal eligibility requirements will need to apply for entry into the program, and any student not selected will have the option to join a waitlist and be included in the program when a spot becomes available. The application for the Spring 2026 cohort is expected to be ready at the beginning of November 2025."

UNCA Chancellor Kimberly van Noort was quoted in the release as saying the following:

“We are thrilled to receive this grant, which will contribute to students’ academic outcomes and achievements while also supporting at-large institutional retention and graduation goals.

“It will provide dedicated assistance to some of our students with the highest needs for comprehensive support.”

The release added, "UNCA will soon begin a search for a TRIO SSS Program Director and Academic Success coach, both of which are funded by the grant, will develop programming that involves dedicated support related to financial and economic literacy.

"Each cohort will have access to comprehensive support from the Program Director and Academic Success Coach and will be closely connected to key support offices on campus. As part of the TRIO program, participants will build a close-knit support network and develop the skills necessary for success at UNC Asheville and beyond.

"This grant and program demonstrates UNC Asheville’s commitment to the success of all students by providing comprehensive, student-centered support to a key demographic of our student population. It builds upon the success of initiatives like Access Asheville that serve to  make an exceptional, transformative education attainable."

Van Noort added, “This grant comes at a perfect time. Our comprehensive student support initiatives have demonstrated true progress. With our historic First Year fall-to-fall retention rates, we have tremendous momentum to drive improved outcomes for our most vulnerable students.”