What is TRIO?

The Federal TRIO programs are outreach service programs nationwide designed to support low-income, first-generation college students.

TRIO works nationwide

Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services are all federal TRIO programs housed by SDSU ITE. These programs are all funded through grants awarded by the Department of Education, connecting students and professionals across the country. (Stats below are as of FY2024)

880,000+

students served nationwide

different programs

1968

Year established

$1B+

in grant funding

Read the Congressional primer

Find pages for the TRIO programs at ITE.

Five students with nametags on lanyards smile holding a cup with straws taped to it from a STEM day activity.

Upward Bound

Upward Bound helps high school students from low-income families or first-generation college backgrounds prepare for and succeed in higher education. [1]

Student Support Services: Teacher Preparation

Student Support Services Teacher Prep (SSS TPrep) is designed to help illuminate the path to education as a career for low-income, first-generation-college students.

A woman seated on stage holding a microphone, a man seated to her left watching as she speaks.

Talent Search

More information about our Talent Search program is coming soon!

Click on the black boxes on the timeline to learn more about each event!

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs legislation in a gym at his alma mater Texas State University, surrounded by various congressmen, administration officials, and Lady Bird Johnson.

1964 - 1965The War on Poverty & the Higher Education Act

The Higher Education Act was signed on Nov. 8, 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty." He signed the legislation in a gym at what is now Texas State University, his alma mater.

TRIO students work together in a classroom in the early years of TRIO's establishment.

1966 - 1980TRIO Established

With the launch of Talent Search and Special Services for Disadvantaged Students (later renamed Student Support Services), the programs are reauthorized by Congress in 1968, uniting the programs under the Office of Education. The three programs together form TRIO's namesake!

A black and white photo of students at SDSU celebrate Upward Bound with founder Dr. Cynthia Park.

1983 - 2022SDSU Pre-College Institute Founded

The SDSU Pre-College Institute is founded by Dr. Cynthia Park in 1983, starting by establishing an Upward Bound program.

SDSU Upward Bound seniors wear maroon stoles at the celebration of their accomplishments throughout high school.

2022 - PresentSDSU Institute for Transformative Education (ITE)

After rebranding to ITE, SDSU continues to participate and grow the larger TRIO family by serving thousands of students over the past several decades.

Learn more about ITE

Be a part of something bigger.