History

TRIO is educational opportunity for low-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.

TRIO, which started in 1968 as only three programs (hence the name TRIO), is now a series of programs that were created to help students enter college, graduate, and move on to participate more fully in the economy and in their social lives.

Some of the TRIO programs include Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services, which is the program housed here at Bowie State University.

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.

Over 1,200 colleges, universities, community colleges, and agencies now offer TRIO programs in America. TRIO funds are distributed to institutions through competitive grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education. For a more detailed history of TRIO, go to the U.S. Department of Education’s website.