Membership

The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE)is a nonprofit organization, established in 1981, dedicated to furthering the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the United States and Pacific Islands. Through its numerous membership services, the Council works in conjunction with colleges, universities, and agencies that host TRIO Programs to specifically help low-income students enter college and graduate.


Regional Association

Association for Equality and Excellence in Education, Inc. (AEEE) is a professional association comprised of administrators, counselors, teachers, and other staff members in New York and New Jersey who are involved in programs which promote access, retention and opportunity for disadvantaged and minority youth in high schools and colleges.

Since 1977 the Association of Special Programs in Region Eight is now ASPIRE, Inc. It has matured into a professional organization serving over 500 staff members in 127 projects. ASPIRE continues to support its members with professional development, timely information relating to national issues, and its members advocate at the state and national levels on behalf of our programs and participants.


Caribbean Association of TRiO Programs(CATP) represents Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. CATP is committed to the development and excellence of the TRIO programs. CATP promotes access, retention and opportunity for disadvantaged and minority youth in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP) is a regional association of educational opportunity personnel from Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. MEAEOPP's mission is to assist low-income, first generation and traditionally under represented students in overcoming the economic, physical, academic and social barriers that make accessibility to higher education difficult, if not impossible. MEAEOPP is committed to providing these students with the support services needed to successfully enroll in and graduate from post-secondary and graduate institutions. MEAEOPP brings together program professionals who have shared interest in the educational and cultural development of TRIO program students. The association offers the opportunity for growth through staff development to ensure continuing quality of program personnel

The Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit consortium of professionals with the specific purpose of leveling the playing field of educational opportunity for first generation, low income, and disabled students. MAEOPP is the representative professional body for colleges, universities and agencies that host federally-funded TRIO educational opportunity programs within ten states in the great Midwest.

Northwest Association of Special Programs (NASP) is an organization representing professional educators who work with low-income, first-generation, and disabled students throughout the Pacific Northwest. NASP promotes the development, improvement, and extension of education to nontraditional students living in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Idaho.

New England Educational Opportunity Association (NEOA) The mission of NEOA is to advocate for access to and success in postsecondary education for low income individuals, first generation college students and college students with disabilities and to develop the skills and knowledge of educational opportunity professionals working with this population. To achieve this mission, educational opportunity program personnel and others committed to advancing educational opportunity come together in a work and study community: to further the expansion of educational opportunity programs, to provide professional development opportunity for educational opportunity personnel, to make the policies and practices of colleges and universities more responsive to the needs of low income students, to further communication and cooperation amongst educational opportunity programs and personnel, to further public awareness of the needs of low income students aspiring to pursue or enrolled in post secondary education, to form coalitions with organizations and individuals who have an interest in advancing educational opportunity, and to engage in other activities which strengthen the organization and advance our mission.

The Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP) is a regional, non-profit organization committed to equal educational access and opportunity for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds served in the TRIO Programs [Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, and Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program].

Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs (SWASAP) is an association who's purpose is to advance and defend the ideal of equal educational opportunity for all TRIO eligible individuals by providing its members the guidance and support needed to foster those activities necessary to cause the target population to persist in achieving their educational goals. SWASAP represents the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (WESTOP) is a regional network of members who promote and advocate access to educational opportunities on behalf of low-income, first generation students, and persons with disabilities. WESTOP objective are to establish a community of communication, coordination, and professional development among educational equity personnel, to advocate for continued financial and legislative support at the federal, state and local levels for educational programs working with economically and educationally disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities, to monitor local, state and federal legislation, regulation, policies, and procedures affecting educational opportunity, to promote and engage in research and evaluation which will enhance the effectiveness of programs and personnel providing educational opportunities, to provide technical assistance, resources, and expertise for educational equity programs, and to promote the success and public value of educational equity programs, its students and personnel.



The Department of Education