History of TRIO/SSS

History of Federal TRIO Programs

The history of Trio is progressive. It began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to Lyndon B. Johnson's administration's War on Poverty. In 1965, Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services, which was originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960s, the term "Trio" was coined to describe these federal programs.

Over the years, the Trio Programs have been expanded and improved to provide a wider range of services and to reach more students who need assistance. The Higher Education Act Amendments of 1972 added the fourth program to the Trio group by authorizing the Educational Opportunity Centers. The 1976 Education Amendments authorized the Training Program for Federal Trio Programs, initially known as the Training Program for Special Programs Staff and Leadership Personnel. Amendments in 1986 added the sixth program, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. Additionally, in 1990, the Department created the Upward Bound Math/Science Program to address the need for specific instruction in the fields of math and science.

Finally, the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001 amended the Student Support Services (SSS) program to permit the use of program funds for direct financial assistance (Grant Aid) for current SSS participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants.

Over the years, the TRIO Programs have been expanded and improved to provide a wider range of services and to reach more students who need assistance.