Ronald McNair Scholars Program

Department of Education

History of the TRIO Programs

The history of Trio began with the Upward Bound program which was authorized by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. In 1965, Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as a part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services, which was originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960s, the term TRIO was coined to describe these federal programs.

There are now seven TRIO programs: Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers, Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement, Talent Search, Upward Bound Math-Science, Upward Bound, and Veterans Upward Bound.

Educational Opportunity Centers
Educational Opportunity Centers located throughout the country primarily serve displaced or underemployed workers from families with incomes under $33,000. These Centers help people to choose a college and a suitable financial aid program. There are 124 Educational Opportunity Centers in America serving 195,000 individuals.

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement
The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement program is 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 who died in the 1986 space-shuttle explosion. Currently, there are 185 projects, serving more than 5,000 students.

Student Support Services
Student Support Services projects work to enable 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. Students are now being served at 947 colleges and universities nationwide.

Talent Search
Talent Search projects serve young people in grades six through 12. In addition to counseling, participants receive information about college admissions requirements, scholarships and various student finanncial aid programs. This early intervention program helps people from families with incomes under $33,000 (where neither parent graduated from college) to better understand their educational opportunities and options. More than 363,000 students are enrolled in 466 Talent Search TRIO projects.

Upward Bound
Upward Bound helps youth prepare for higher education. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition, mathematics, and science on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. Currently, 964 projects are in operation throughout the United States.

Upward Bound Math & Sciences
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. Currently, 116 projects are serving students throughout the country.

Veterans Upward Bound
The Veterans Upward Bound program provides intensive basic skills development and short-term remedial courses for military veterans to helps 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.