Overview
TRIO is a set of college access and opportunity programs funded by the US federal government. Together, these programs aim to change educational outcomes for eligible students, who are often first-generation, low-income, disabled, or academically at-risk. TRIO Programs are free to participants, and provide them with wraparound supports including tutoring, advising, and the academic and financial guidance necessary to enter and succeed in college.
A History of Federal TRIO Programs
TRIO Programs began as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. The Educational Opportunity Act of 1964 established a then-experimental program known as Upward Bound to increase postsecondary access and success for eligible high school students. In 1965, the Higher Education Act established Talent Search to serve middle school students and set them on a college-prep pathway. Finally, in 1968, Special Services for Disadvantaged Students (later known as Student Support Services) was launched to encourage higher retention and graduation rates among college students who were first-generation, low-income, or students with disabilities.
Since then, six more programs were added to the original “trio” of college access and success programs. Today, over 800,000 students are served by TRIO Programs nationally, providing valuable support to help them achieve their educational goals, break the cycle of poverty through education, and build better lives for themselves and their families.
TRIO at Washburn University
At Washburn, TRIO Programs are part of our broader strategy to increase retention and graduation rates and create educational pathways to success for everyone. As an Open Access institution, TRIO Programs allow Washburn to meet students where they are and help them get to the graduation stage.
Washburn currently operates two TRIO Programs: Upward Bound and Student Support Services.
Upward Bound serves 60 first-generation, low-income students at Topeka High school, helping them develop the motivation and skills necessary to enter and succeed in college.
Student Support Services serves 140 first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities who are enrolled at Washburn University, helping them improve their academic performance, retention, and graduation rates.
