TRIO Programs

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About TRIO Programs

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, the Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes programs to 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 Student Support Services logo.

TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS) is a TRIO program administered by University Access Programs. TRIO SSS seeks to improve the retention and success of historically disadvantaged college students. The TRIO SSS office provides support to students who are first generation, Pell Grant eligible, and/or living with disabilities.

CONTACT US
Phone: (325) 674-2415
Email: sss@acu.edu

TRIO Talent Search logo.

TRIO Talent Search

TRIO Talent Search serves young people in grades 6-12. In addition to counseling, participants receive information about college admissions requirements, scholarships and various student financial aid programs. This early intervention helps youth from low-income families to better understand their educational opportunities, with 80% of participants enrolling in postsecondary institutions immediately following high school graduation.

CONTACT US
Phone: (325) 677-1444, Ext. 5567
Email: talentsearch@acu.edu

TRIO Upward Bound logo.

TRIO Upward Bound

TRIO Upward Bound (UB) is an intensive intervention program that prepares younger students for higher education through various enrichment courses. Campus-based UB programs provide instruction in literature, composition, mathematics, science and foreign language throughout the year. UB also provides intensive mentoring and support for students as they prepare for college entrance exams and tackle admission applications, financial aid and scholarship forms.

CONTACT US
Phone: (325) 674-2448
Email: upwardbound@groupmail.acu.edu

McNair Scholars Program

The McNair Scholars Program serves students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal is to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society. Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to prepare eligible students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.  Find out more about the McNair Scholars Program at ACU.

CONTACT US
Phone: (325) 674-2862
Email: mcnair@acu.edu

TRIO’s Story

The TRIO programs were the first national college access and retention programs to address the serious social and cultural barriers to education in America. TRIO began as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. The Educational Opportunity Act of 1964 established an experimental program known as Upward Bound. Then, in 1965, the Higher Education Act created Talent Search. Finally, Special Services for Disadvantaged Students (later named Student Support Services), was launched in 1968. Together, this “trio” of federally funded programs encouraged access to higher education for low-income students. By 1998, the TRIO programs were a vital pipeline to opportunity, serving traditional students, displaced workers and veterans.

The original three programs grew to nine with the following additions:

  • 1972 – Educational Opportunity Centers and Veterans Upward Bound
  • 1976 – Training Program for Federal TRIO programs
  • 1986 – Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program
  • 1990 – Upward Bound Math/Science
  • 1998 – TRIO Dissemination Partnership