Federal TRIO Programs

What this actually is

Eight federal outreach and student-services programmes for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, carrying students "through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs": Educational Opportunity Centers, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement, Student Support Services, Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Veterans Upward Bound, and a staff training programme. This is help, not cash: tutoring, advising, help with applications and financial aid forms. The structural point people miss is that YOU do not apply for a TRIO grant — institutions and community organisations hold the grants, and you apply to be accepted into a funded project near you.

Who qualifies, and what trips people up

Targeted at low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities. You must be eligible for services and accepted into a funded project, so the practical first step is finding which local college or organisation holds a TRIO grant — ask any community college financial aid office. Veterans Upward Bound is a separate door worth naming if you served.