<p>Anyone here have any experience with this? Ds just got an invite to apply in the mail, and I’m looking for anyone who might have some insight/firsthand experience. Here’s a link if you’re interested: [Carleton</a> College: TRIO / Student Support Services](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/trio/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/trio/)</p>
<p>It’s a great program for first-generation college students (and some international scholars) that provides them with free textbook exchange, among other things. It’s extremely helpful, and I have only good impressions of it.</p>
<p>I was in it – it was fantastic help for me financially and socially while at Carleton. The majority of the time Carleton kids don’t like to mention how “comfortable” their lives were prior to matriculating, and hanging out in Trio House lets you remember that not everyone came here with a silver spoon. They pay for all of your books (and let you rent calculators, etc) and put on many optional events (a lot of them of the fun nature, others more serious) throughout the school year. My best friend was a Peer Leader and they are usually assigned a gaggle of Freshman Trio members to help ease them into Carleton life.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any other questions!</p>
<p>Thanks for answering, lili!</p>
<p>The free books caught my eye, for sure. 
Ds doesn’t think he’ll get it because both my dh and I have degrees and it says preference is given to low-income and first-generation kids, but he did the app anyway to see.</p>
<p>I’ll ask a couple of questions. Do TRIO kids “stand out” as lower income? How did you find the campus/social life if you don’t have lots of money? Ds comes from a very diverse school, ethnicity-wise and socioeconomically. Hoping this isn’t a shock for him. lol</p>
<p>I have a question too. I applied for TRIO. When do I know if I was accepted or not?</p>