TRIO Programs provide educational opportunities to first generation, low income, and disabled Americans. TRIO Programs have been proven to be very effective. Many students and families have depended on TRIO programs to succeed academically in high school and college. Since 1965, an estimated two million students have graduated from college with the special assistance and support of our nation's TRIO Programs.

Upward Bound is one part of the family of programs that Congress created in support of this commitment. Congress initially 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 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.

Who Is Served

As mandated by Congress, two-thirds of the students served must come from families that meet federal income requirements, and where neither parent graduated from a four year college. More than 2,600 TRIO Programs serve students in grades 6 through 12. Thirty-seven percent of TRIO students are white, 35% are African-Americans, 19% are Hispanics, 4% are Native Americans, 4% are Asian-Americans, and 1% are listed as “Other,” including multiracial students. Twenty-two thousand students with disabilities and more than 25,000 U.S. veterans are currently enrolled in TRIO Programs as well.

How It Works

Over 1,000 colleges, universities, community colleges, and agencies now offer TRIO Programs in America. TRIO funds are distributed to institutions through competitive grants.

Evidence of Achievement

Students in the Upward Bound Program are four times more likely to earn an undergraduate degree than those students from similar backgrounds who did not participate in TRIO; nearly 20 percent of all Black and Hispanic freshmen who entered college in 1981 receive assistance through the TRIO Talent Search or EOC Programs; students in the TRIO Student Support Services Program are more than twice as likely to remain in college than those students from similar backgrounds who did not participate in the program. TRIO college graduates are working in business, industry, government, medicine, law, education, communcations, sales, finance, politics, transportation, publishing, law enforcement, computer science & technology, engineering and accounting.

At present, there are seven TRIO programs in operation in the United States. A synopsis of each program is listed below.

Talent Search

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 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, 772 programs are in operation throughout the United States.

Upward Bound Math Science

Upward Bound Math 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 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 796 colleges and universities nationwide.

Educational Opportunity Centers

Educational Opportunity Centers located throughout the country, primarily serve displaced or underemployed workers from families. These Centers help people to choose a college and a suitable financial aid program. There are 82 Educational Opportunity Centers in America serving 158,036 individuals.

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 who died in the 1986 space-shuttle explosion. Currently there are 156 programs, serving 3,641 students.

To learn more about TRIO Programs, the History and the national organization, Council for Opportunity in Education, click on www.trioprograms.org
(Information directly taken from the Council for Opportunity in Education website)