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About Us

Who to Contact

For Pack Promise program related questions, send us an email.

Samantha Rich

Pack Promise Scholars Coordinator

Courtney Simpson

Pack Promise Scholars Coordinator

For Financial Aid related questions, contact your Financial Aid Counselor (assigned by last name). You can find their contact information here.

How does Pack Promise differ from TRIO Programs?

Pack Promise

  • Recipients are selected for this program as an incoming first year student by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
  • Program admittance comes with a financial aid award package promised to scholars for eight semesters as long as certain requirements are upheld, such as full-time enrollment and good academic standing along with completing all requirements as outlined in your Pathways.
  • Students are paired with a faculty/staff mentor for their first semester at NC State University and will meet with this mentor a minimum of two times during this first semester.
  • Limited workshops on certain topics will be held during the year, and students are encouraged to attend programs being offered through other colleges and offices on-campus.
  • Access to apply for the Goodwin Meissner Last Dollar Scholarship available each year in the spring, and other scholarship opportunities are available through Pack ASSIST.

TRIO Programs

  • TRIO is a grant-funded program through the Department of Education and here at NC State University, we have 3 TRIO Collegiate Grant Programs (TRIO SSS, TRIO SSS-STEM, TRIO McNair).
  • Students MUST apply to be part of this program and can do so at any point in their academic career.
  • Criteria for admittance is based upon academic need, first generation status, income level, and registration with the Disability Resource Office.
  • Students are assigned to a TRIO Academic Coach who they work with until graduation to focus on career, academic, personal, and financial goals.
  • Students have access to free one on one tutoring services in lower-level and upper-level courses
  • Students have access to apply for various scholarship and grant aid opportunities only open to TRIO students throughout the academic year and Summer terms.
  • Students have access to assistance to free graduate preparation materials and workshops as well as funded visits to graduate schools.
  • TRIO offers workshops throughout the year on career, academic, financial, and personal development topics.
  • TRIO offers cultural and social events for students during the year for free such as attendance to shows at Durham Performing Arts Center, peer mentor outings to bowling or Urban Air, trips to the NC Museum of Art and more).
  • First-year students are required to join the TRIO Peer Mentor Program or be part of another peer mentoring program on-campus.
  • TRIO students have access to free printing and computers in the lounge area of our suite and so much more.

Want to apply for TRIO? 

Go to: go.ncsu.edu/trioapp