Access Opportunity Success

Mission:

The mission of Access Opportunity Success (AOS) is to facilitate access to Southwest Minnesota State University's academic programs through programs and services that contribute to individual students' development of academic skills and thinking processes necessary for academic success.

AOS provides a TRiO Student Support Services Best Practices program for:

1. Outreach/recruitment and retention of underrepresented students (low-income, first-generation and students of color)
2. To provide advising and supportive services to enable participants to be retained and graduated and, where appropriate, to enroll in graduate and professional programs.

Program Benefits

Students who qualify for the AOS will receive numerous benefits, including:

• Priority Registration:  Freshmen and sophomore student(s) will receive early registration.
• Summer Bridge: Enrolled freshmen have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Bridge program to earn tuition credit free.

Students may be eligible for a tuition waiver during the Summer Bridge programs.

• Pell Grant Housing Pre-Payment Waiver:  Students with a Pell Grant are eligible for a $100 housing Pre-payment waiver.
• AOS Living and Learning Community:  An opportunity for students to participate in a learning community that provides support for their educational goals.
• Tutor Supplement:  All AOS participant(s) will have access to individual and group instruction services.

Who Is Eligible?

Students must identify as at least one of the following to be accepted into the AOS program:

• First Generation College:  Signifies that parents and/or guardians that you grew up with did not graduate from a four-year institution
• Student of Color
• Low-Income:  Students who receive Pell Grant.

In addition, All AOS participants will:

• Be enrolled at SMSU
• Be a U.S. or Naturalized Citizen

Students must be Motivated to make use of AOS services to become Successful Southwest Minnesota State University Graduates.

Participants are expected to meet with an AOS Advisor and engage in AOS-sponsored activities. 

MPR News Reports on Program Impact

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