TRIO Federal Grant

About TRIO Grants

From the Department of Education's TRIO website:

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.

The 8 TRIO programs are:

Educational Opportunity Centers
Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (college students)
Student Support Services (college students)
Educational Talent Search (middle & high school students)
- *This is the program that serves our Caldwell County middle & high school students.
Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs Staff
Upward Bound (high school students)
Upward Bound Math-Science (high school students)
Veterans Upward Bound (college students & veterans)

ETS Program Description

The Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education. The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assist participant with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.

Types of ETS Projects

Projects provide tutorial services, career exploration, aptitude assessments, counseling, mentoring programs, workshops, information on postsecondary institutions; education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students; guidance on and assistance in secondary school reentry, alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts, entry into general educational development programs or postsecondary education; and programs and activities previously mentioned that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system or other disconnected students.

Additional Information

Services provided by the program include:

Academic, financial, career, or personal counseling including advice on entry or re-entry to secondary or postsecondary programs
Career exploration and aptitude assessment
Tutorial services
Information on postsecondary education
Exposure to college campuses
Information on student financial assistance
Assistance in completing college admissions and financial aid applications
Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams
Mentoring programs
Special activities for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders
Workshops for the families of participants

TRIO Website