# New ASU TRIO program gives back to veterans

### Services include academic tutoring, personalized career guidance, no-cost printing, dedicated study spaces

By Lauren Greenberg, ASU News
March 30, 2026

Arizona State University’s TRIO Student Support Services has launched a new program for veterans interested in pursuing a college education.

The TRIO Student Support Services Veterans program provides a range of resources at no cost, including academic tutoring, personalized career guidance, no-cost printing, dedicated study spaces and a supportive community of fellow veterans. These resources are available to qualifying students on the Tempe, Polytechnic, West Valley and Downtown campuses.

“It’s really exciting to launch TRIO SSS Veterans,” said Marcelino Quiñonez, executive director of ASU’s Educational Outreach and Student Services. “We've got over 18,000 military-connected families here at ASU, and we're really excited to serve them as part of the TRIO SSS family.

“TRIO SSS is at all four campuses — we all work collaboratively, and the entire focus of TRIO SSS is to ensure that our students are as supported as they can be academically, socially and prepared for their future careers. Having a TRIO SSS program dedicated to veterans is really meaningful.”

TRIO Student Support Services Veterans serves eligible student veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard members and Reserve members. Veterans must have a discharge status other than dishonorable to qualify under federal TRIO guidelines. Veterans must have served in the U.S. military, be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, be enrolled full-time and meet at least one of the following criteria:

- A first-generation college student, or
- Students who meet federal low-income levels, or
- Students with a documented disability

Army veteran Kaiden Murphy, a sophomore studying psychology at the Tempe campus, said, “TRIO SSS helped me set up goals and take away stress from my day-to-day life on campus. … I applied because I felt like it would benefit me in the long run and provide me with the resources I need.”

Jonah Gibson, an Army veteran studying engineering at the Tempe campus, said, “TRIO is always there if you need something. Being able to talk to someone face to face makes the experience more enjoyable.”

He added, “You can never have too many resources. When people actually care, it makes a difference.”

Army veteran and third-year business administration student Victor Sanchez on the West Valley campus said that he “appreciates the individual study rooms that TRIO SSS provides,” as well as “materials for your classes if you need them.”

Sanchez said that his bond with the veteran community is what drove him to apply for the program.

“As a veteran, I know how important it is to have a community around you, especially with other veterans. … We have a bond through our service that cannot be broken,” he said. “There is no downside to joining the program. What you receive is a safe space, help with your goals, materials and a community that will support you and help you make new friends. There are opportunities that will help you grow as a student and in life.”

Sujeily Garcia Torres, a Navy veteran studying dietetics at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, echoed Sanchez’s desire for community.

“As a first-generation student and after transitioning out of the military, I needed help, a sense of community and a support system while adjusting to student life,” Torres said. “Being part of the program gives me people I can look up to for guidance and answers.”

Eligible student veterans who are interested should fill out this application from TRIO.

This story originally appeared on ASU News.