Our nation has asserted a commitment to providing educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic circumstance.

In support of this commitment, Congress 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 the 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.

"Although 11 million Americans critically need to access the TRiO Programs, federal funding permits fewer than 5 percent of eligible youth and adults to be served." Upward Bound trip to Seneca Rocks! Upward Bound students pose during a Summer class!

How it Works
Over 1,200 colleges, universities, community colleges, and agencies now offer TRiO Programs in America. TRiO funds are distributed to institutions through competitive grants.

Evidence of Achievement
TRiO college graduates are working in business, industry, government, medicine, law, education, communication, sales, finance, politics, transportation, publishing, law enforcement, computer science & technology, engineering, and accounting.

Talent Search
Talent Search programs serve young people in grades 6 through 12. 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 low-income families and/or where neither parent graduated from college better understand their educational opportunities and options.

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. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits.

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.

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 post-secondary 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. There is a Veterans Upward Bound Program at Davis & Elkins College, for more information view their web site at www.veteransupwardboundwv.com

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.

Educational Opportunity Centers
Educational Opportunity Centers located throughout the country, primarily serve displaced or underemployed workers from low income families. These Centers help people to choose a college and a suitable financial aid program.

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 that died in the 1986 space-shuttle explosion.

Upward Bound New York City Trip - Empire State Building tour!


Upward Bound Rafting Trip on Ohio Pyle!

TRiO Programs are very effective and many students from low-income families depend on these programs to succeed academically in high school and college. In fact, since 1965 an estimated two million students have graduated from college with the special assistance and support of our nation's TRiO Programs. In addition, one TRiO Program in particular, the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, is one of only a few programs in America that encourages low-income and minority undergraduates to prepare for doctoral study.