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From the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE)

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.

Who is Served
As mandated by Congress, two-thirds of the students served must come from families with incomes under $24,000, where neither parent graduated from college. Over 2,600 TRIO Programs currently serve nearly 872,000 low-income Americans. Many programs serve students in grades six through 12. Thirty-seven percent of TRIO students are Whites, 36% are African-Americans, 19% are Hispanics, 4% are Native Americans, 4% are Asian-Americans, and 2% are listed as "Other," including multiracial students. Sixteen thousand students with disabilities and more than 25,000 U.S. veterans are currently enrolled in the TRIO Programs as well. For more race and ethnicity data for each TRIO Program (Upward Bound, UB Math/Science, SSS, Talent Search, EOC, and McNair), see “Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Federal TRIO Programs,” a News You Can Use fact sheet from the National TRIO Clearinghouse.

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.

(Visit http://www.trioprograms.org/abouttrio.html for more information)

LEARN Inc. Programs

Educational Talent Search

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Talent Search programs serve young people in grades six through twelve. 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 families with incomes under $24,000 (where neither parent graduated from college) to better understand their educational opportunities and options. Over 323,541 Americans are enrolled in 316 Talent Search Programs.

LETS Go-Advance

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The LETS Go-Advance program is also an educational support program designed to help at-risk 7th and 8th grade students succeed in school. The program offers learning activities and information to these students that will increase their awareness of the importance of continuing their education. It also helps students improve their knowledge and ability to plan for high school, graduate from high school, and plan for college and their future careers.

Educational Opportunity Center

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Educational Opportunity Centers located throughout the country primarily serve displaced or underemployed workers from families with incomes under $24,000. These Centers help people to choose a college and a suitable financial aid program. There are 139 Educational Opportunity Centers in America serving 217,836 individuals

Veterans Upward Bound

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Veterans Upward Bound programs provide intensive basic skills development and short-term remedial courses for military veterans to help them successfully transition to postsecondary 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.

Appointment Information