TRIO Programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and were initially just three programs. While student financial aid programs helps students overcome financial aid barriers to higher education, TRIO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.
TRIO Programs at St. Olaf College
- TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) is designed to help students in grades 6-12 by providing advising, college and career exploration, and assistance with college and financial aid applications. ETS serves 700 students from Community of Peace Academy and Humboldt High School in St. Paul, as well as Edison High School and Northeast Middle School in Minneapolis.
- TRIO Upward Bound (UB) is a federally funded program that supports high school students in preparing for and succeeding in college. Through academic assistance, guidance, and personal development opportunities, the program helps students build the skills and confidence needed to achieve their higher education goals. Upward Bound currently serves 148 students from the following Saint Paul high schools: Central, Creative Arts, Highland, Humboldt, and Open World Learning.
- TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of participants and to foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of first-generation, modest-income college students through program services. TRIO SSS is funded to serve 172 St. Olaf College students.
- TRIO Student Support Services for Student with Disabilities (SSSD) is a federally funded college retention program serving 100 students per year. SSSD helps students with disabilities develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue and complete a college education by focusing on academic and personal development.
- TRIO McNair Scholars prepares high-achieving, limited-income and first-generation college students for graduate studies by providing research, mentorship, and professional development to prepare them to lead in a global world. McNair works with 30-45 students annually to explore their career interests and graduate school goals.
Additional links: 
The Council for Opportunity in Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the United States. The Council works in conjunction with colleges, universities and agencies that host TRIO programs to specifically help low-income and disabled Americans enter college and graduate.
Minnesota TRIO is the professional organization for personnel affiliated with TRIO programs throughout the state of Minnesota. MN TRIO is one of eight state chapters which form the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA). In addition to Minnesota, EOA’s member states include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.
St. Olaf College Education Department
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