The Federal TRiO Programs (TRiO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRiO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs. TRiO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRiO projects.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Student Support Services program helps students to stay in college until they ultimately earn their baccalaureate degree. Participants receive free tutoring, career and personal counseling, academic advising, mentoring, and college survival skills. Students in the Student Support Services program are more than TWICE as likely to remain in college as those students from similar backgrounds who do not participate in the program.

RONALD E. MCNAIR POST-BACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT

Ronald R. McNair programs encourage low-income and minority undergraduates to consider careers in college teaching/research as well as prepare them for doctoral study. Named in honor of the astronaut who died in the 1986 space-shuttle explosion, students who participate in this program are provided with research opportunities and faculty mentors. About 100 programs currently serve 3,300 students.

UPWARD BOUND

Upward Bound helps high school students prepare for higher education. Participants receive instruction in literature, foreign languages, composition, mathematics and science on college campuses and in the summer. 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.

EDUCATIONAL TALENT SEARCH

Talent Search is an early intervention program, which encourages middle and high school participants to complete secondary and post-secondary education programs. Participants receive information regarding career exploration, college exploration and financial aid assistance.

VETERANS UPWARD BOUND

The goal of Veterans Upward Bound is to provide academic services that allow and encourage veterans to be successful when entering a post-secondary education program that leads to graduation. Participants receive instruction in GED preparation and/or instruction in literature, foreign languages, composition, mathematics and science.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER

The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a free TRiO program designed to assist 1000 adults in obtaining a GED and/or with college or vocational school enrollment. EOC staff assists participants with determination of educational goals, academic assistance, completion of college admission and financial aid applications, college adjustment concerns and career exploration. The program is for anyone who does not already have a four-year degree. The program can even continue to assist students after they have begun college coursework.