Our nation has asserted a commitment to providing educational
opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background
or economic circumstance.
In support of this commitment, Congress established a series of programs
to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate and move on to
participate more fully in America's economic and social life. These
Programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO Programs (initially
just three programs). While student financial aid programs help students
overcome financial barriers to higher education, TRIO programs help
students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.
The name “TRIO” was coined in the late
1970’s when the first three programs were established. Upward
Bound, the oldest of the programs, was created by the 1964
Economic Opportunity Act. Educational Talent
Search was established by the Higher Education Act
of 1965, and Higher Education Amendments of 1968 added
Special Services for Disadvantaged Students (now the Student
Support Services Program). The Higher Education
Act Amendments of 1972 added a fourth program – Educational
Opportunity Centers – but the “TRIO” acronym
continued. The fifth program is the Training Program
for Special Programs Staff and Leadership Personnel and
was established by the Education Amendments of 1976. The Higher
Education Amendments of 1986 authorized the Dr. Ronald
E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. Funds
were first appropriated for the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate
Achievement program in FY 1989.
The legislative requirements for the TRIO programs
can be found in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title
IV Subpart 4.
The primary purpose of the TRIO programs is to prepare
disadvantaged persons for successful entry into, retention, and completion
of post-secondary education. In general, these programs identify low-income
and first-generation or (potential first-generation) college students
who show potential for success and provide them with encouragement,
support, and assistance. TRIO services are designed
to improve academic performance, increase student motivation, and facilitate
transitions from one level of education to the next. All
funds are awarded through a competitive discretionary grant process.
Who is Served?
As mandated by Congress, two-thirds of the students served must come
from families with incomes under $24,000, where neither parent graduated
from college. Over 1,900 TRIO Programs currently serve nearly 700,000
low-income Americans between the ages of 11 and 27. Many programs serve
students in grades six through 12. Thirty-nine percent of TRIO students
are White, 36 percent are African-American, 16 percent are Hispanic,
5 percent are Native American and 4 percent are Asian-American. Sixteen
thousand TRIO students are disabled.
TRIO incorporates eight major programs for Students of
Disadvantaged Backgrounds: Educational
Talent Search (ETS), Upward Bound (UB),
Veterans Upward Bound (VUB), Upward Bound Math
and Science (UBMS), Student Support Services (SSS),
Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC), Training
Program for Special Programs Staff and Leadership Personnel (TR) and
the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair). Collectively,
these programs have commonly been referred to as “TRIO” or “the TRIP programs”.
Educational Talent Search
Educational Talent Search programs serve young people in grades six
through twelve. In addition to counseling, participants receive information
about college admissions requirements, scholarships and various student
financial aid programs. This early intervention program helps people
from families with incomes under $24,000 (where neither parent graduated
from college) to better understand their educational opportunities
and options. Over 323,541 Americans are enrolled in 361
Talent Search TRIO programs.
Upward Bound
Upward Bound helps young students to prepare for higher education.
Participants receive instruction in literature, composition, mathematics
and science on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during
the summer. Currently, Over 772 programs are
in operation throughout the United States.
Upward Bound Mathematics & Science
Upward Bound Mathematics & Science helps students from low-income
families to strengthen math and science skills. In addition, students
learn computer technology as well as English, foreign language and
study skills. Over 124 programs are serving
students throughout the country.
Veterans Upward Bound
Veterans Upward Bound programs provide intensive basic skills development
and short-term remedial courses for military veterans to help them
successfully transition to postsecondary education. Veterans learn
how to secure support from available resources such as the Veterans
Administration, veterans associations, and various state and local
agencies that serve veterans. Approximately over 4,200
participants are served annually.
Student Support Services
Student Support Services helps low-income students to stay in college
until they earn their baccalaureate degrees. Participants, who include
disabled college students, receive tutoring, counseling and remedial
instruction. Students are now being served at over 796
colleges and universities nationwide.
Educational Opportunity Centers
Educational Opportunity Centers located throughout the country, primarily
serve displaced or underemployed workers from families with incomes
under $24,000. These Centers help people to choose a college and a
suitable financial aid program. There are 82 Educational
Opportunity Centers in America serving over 158,036 individuals.
Dr. Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement programs are designed
to encourage low-income students and minority undergraduates to consider
careers in college teaching as well as prepare for doctoral study.
Students who participate in this program are provided with research
opportunities and faculty mentors. This program was named in honor
of the astronaut that died in the 1986 space-shuttle explosion. Currently
there are over 156 programs, serving 3,641 students.
"Although 11 million Americans critically need to access the
TRIO Programs, federal funding permits fewer than 6.5 percent of eligible
youth and adults to be served."
If you would like more information about TRIO's history, go to the
Council for Opportunity in Education web site: What
is TRIO? or the Department of Education's TRIO.
