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TRIO Student Support Services

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What is TRIO?

TRIO is a set of federally funded college opportunity programs that motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of a college degree. In 2022-2023, over 882,000 low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities — from sixth grade through college graduation — are served by over 3,432 programs nationally. TRIO programs provide academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and other supports necessary for educational access and retention. TRIO programs provide direct support services for students and relevant training for directors and staff.

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. The Educational Opportunity Act of 1964 established an experimental program known as Upward Bound. Then, in 1965, the Higher Education Act created Talent Search. Finally, another program, Special Services for Disadvantaged Students (later known as Student Support Services), was launched in 1968. Together, this “trio” of federally funded programs encouraged access to higher education for low-income students. By 1998, the TRIO programs had become a vital pipeline to opportunity, serving traditional students, displaced workers, and veterans. The original three programs had grown to nine, adding Educational Opportunity Centers and Veterans Upward Bound in 1972, Training Program for Federal TRIO programs in 1976, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program in 1986, and Upward Bound Math/Science in 1990.

TRIO Student Support Services
Corbin Hall, Room 207
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
1200 N. University Drive, Mail Slot 4954
(870) 575-8594

“Here to help you make the most out of your college experience.”

Why Are TRIO Programs Important?
  1. The United States needs to boost both its academic and economic competitiveness globally. To foster and maintain a healthy economy as well as compete globally, the United States needs a strong, highly educated, and competent workforce. To be on par with other nations, the country needs students, no matter their background, who are academically prepared and motivated to achieve success.
  2. Low-income students are left behind. Only 38% of low-income high school seniors go straight to college, compared with 81% of their peers in the highest-income with 81% of their peers in the highest-income quartile. Then, once enrolled in college, low-income students earn bachelor’s degrees at a rate that is less than half of that of their high-income peers — 21% as compared with 45%. with 45%.
  3. The growing achievement gap in our country is detrimental to our success as a nation. There is a tremendous gap in educational attainment between America’s highest and lowest income students, despite similar talents and potential. While there are numerous talented and worthy low-income students, relatively few are represented in higher education, particularly at America’s more selective four-year colleges and universities.
Meet our TRIO Staff
Donna M. Mooney

TRIO Director
(870)575-8375

Ja’Rial Burns

Academic Advisement Specialist
(870)575-8379

Tedra' Bryant

English Specialist
(870)575-8344

STEM Specialist

(870)575-8377

Bridget Sanders

Social Science Specialist
(870)575-8378

Features

“TRIO has been crucial in helping me shape my goals for college and my career. The academic advice and mentorship I received have enhanced my overall educational experience by offering insightful advice on future job routes. The program’s focus on holistic development has helped me achieve my long term professional goals by boosting my confidence and felling of purpose and improving my academic status.”

2024 UAPB Arkansas TRIO Hall of Famer

Janiya Fellows

Major: Social Work

“TRIO SSS to me means unity . TRIO has helped me learn more about the college setting, being a first-generation student. Initially, it was hard learning the ropes but TRIO made sure I had what I needed to continue on successfully as well as introduce me to developmental skills I would need eventually, later on down the line. While also gaining a family of people I know that are always rooting for me. I am very grateful to have experienced a program as amazing as this one #WELOVETRIO”

Mari’Neisha Hardrick

Major : Multimedia Communications

“I am a sophomore, biology premed major and am very appreciative of the opportunities provided by TRIO SSS.  Being in TRIO, I was taken to Houston to tour Texas Southern University. During the tour, I was also able to gain insight into the local life and environment. TRIO has also given me an opportunity to gain employment for a semester while in college.”

Solomon Shorter II

Major: Biology Pre-Med

“Our Mission is to assist low-income, first-generation, and disabled students to overcome the cultural, academic, class, and social barriers to succeed in higher education.”

Currently, two TRIO programs at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff provide academic support and preparation, financial literacy education, and assistance with financial aid for UAPB students. The stats below support their academic success:

$908,591 in grants managed by the U.S. Department of Education that support program funding

54,000 tutoring and academic hours provided to SSS participants

308 students served by the UAPB TRIO SSS college program and 74 local students served by Upward Bound

An 83% persistence rate by SSS towards graduation among 308 students

4,000 plus graduated students from UAPB TRIO SSS programs

Our Services

The required services of the SSS program include:

  • Academic tutoring
  • Guidance in selecting postsecondary academic courses
  • Information for students regarding public and private scholarships and financial aid programs and assistance with completing financial aid applications
  • Counseling services to improve students’ financial and economic literacy
  • Assistance with students’ applications to graduate and professional programs (for four-year grantees); and
  • Assistance with students’ applications to, and obtaining financial assistance from, four-year programs (for two-year grantees).
  • Applicant Eligibility

    Institutions of higher education or a combination of higher education institutions are the only entities eligible to compete for funds under the Student Support Services program.

    Participant Eligibility for Program Services

    • To receive assistance, students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of postsecondary education at a grantee institution.
    • Low-income first-generation college students and students with disabilities evidencing academic need are eligible to participate in SSS projects.
    • Two-thirds of the participants in any SSS project must be either disabled or potential first-generation college students from low-income families. One-third of the disabled participants must also be low-income students.
    • Participant eligibility for Grant Aid assistance must be current participants in the SSS project who are in their first two years of post-secondary education and receiving Federal Pell Grants.
    • Grant Aid may be offered to students who have completed their first two semesters of post-secondary education and are receiving Federal Pell Grants if the institution demonstrates that these students are at high risk of dropping out and have first met the needs of all eligible first and second-year students.