TRIO
To foster an atmosphere where high school students and adults of all ages feel empowered
to pursue their educational goals, without real or perceived barriers. We do this
by providing academically enriching courses; tutoring; academic counseling; financial
literacy; mentoring; career exploration; cultural enrichment and leadership development.
We also strive to provide judgment-free counseling, allowing us to meet our adult
learners wherever they are on their life’s journey. Our services promote college access
and success, as well as personal development to a combined 1,333 high school students
and adult learners.
The TRIO programs were the first national college access and retention programs to
address the serious social and cultural barriers to education in America. TRIO began
as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty, with Upward Bound as an experimental
program in the Educational Opportunity Act of 1964. In 1965, the Higher Education
Act created Talent Search. And in 1968, Special Services for Disadvantaged Students
(later known as Student Support Services), was founded. Together, this “trio” of federally-funded
programs encouraged access to higher education for low-income students. To date, TRIO
programs have grown to seven student serving programs and remain a vital pipeline
to opportunity, serving traditional students, displaced workers, and veterans: Educational
Opportunity Centers and Veterans Upward Bound (1972); Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate
Achievement Program (1986); and Upward Bound Math/Science (1990). TRIO programs help
students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education by providing
a myriad of services, from middle school through post-graduate. Funded by the U.S.
Department of Education, Chicago State University is one of over 3,100 education institutions
and agencies offering federal TRIO programs, to more than 812,000 students. Currently,
CSU offers two TRIO programs, Upward Bound II and Project SUCCESS Educational Opportunity
Center. The CSU TRIO Programs are dedicated to providing access to postsecondary education
opportunities for high school students and adults.
TRIO programs provide a myriad of services, from middle school through post-graduate,
to help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.
Services include assistance with:
- Community College, Trade School or four-year institution applications
- Financial aid forms
- Finding scholarships
- College and career counselling
- Other application support
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Get involved
Are you eligible to participate?
Upward Bound
Upward Bound scholars must be committed to the successful completion of high school
and college. Participants must possess a personal commitment and be willing to work
hard towards that goal, have a sincere desire to expand their knowledge, and demonstrate
perseverance.
Prospective participants will be:
- A citizen or national of the U.S; a permanent resident of the U.S.; or is in the U.S.
for other than a temporary purpose, but has evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization
Services of their intent to become a permanent resident;
- A low-income individual; a potential first-generation college student (neither parent
has a 4-year degree); or an individual who has a high risk for academic failure;
- An individual with a need for academic support;
- At least 13 yrs old, but not older than 19 and has completed the 8th grade.
Educational Opportunity Center
Educational Opportunity Center participants must express a desire to enroll or already
be enrolled in a program of postsecondary education and requests information or assistance
in applying for admission to, or financial aid for such a program. Our counselors
offer personal assistance in matching your interests and needs with an appropriate
educational program.
Prospective participants will be:
- A citizen or national of the U.S; a permanent resident of the U.S.; or is in the U.S.
for other than a temporary purpose, but has evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization
Services of their intent to become a permanent resident;
- 19 years of age or older (or classified as a senior in high school);
- A low-income individual or a potential first-generation college student (neither parent
has a 4-year degree);
- Not currently enrolled in a four-year institution and who have not earned a 4-year
degree
- Residents of Chicago or the surrounding suburbs.
Our Teams
The TRIO Programs at CSU also employ a number of teachers, federal work study students
and contractual workers to support our high school scholars and adult learners.
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