Council for Opportunity in Education

National TRIO Day

On February 24, 1986, a congressional resolution (H. Con. Res. 278) declared that Saturday, February 28, 1986, should be designated as “National TRIO Day” to commemorate the annual achievements of the Federal TRIO programs in communities across the country.

For many programs, National TRIO Day has become a tradition.

Raise awareness about the importance of educational opportunity for low-income, first-generation students.

We want to commemorate this momentous occasion by calling on TRIO programs nationwide to come together on February 24, 2024, to celebrate the 38th anniversary of National TRIO Day and raise awareness about the importance of educational opportunity for low-income, first-generation students. Members of Congress will be home in their states for a State Work Period in February. These are ideal dates to schedule a TRIO Day celebration and invite your Member of Congress to attend in person! The House will be home February 8-12 and February 19-27. The Senate will be home February 12-23. Help make TRIO Day a community-wide event by enlisting the participation of your campus and community, including corporations and businesses in the area. We also highly encourage you to invite your Members of Congress and other elected officials to join you during the celebrations and service activities.

DOWNLOAD THE ACTION GUIDE

Celebrate

National TRIO Day

Every year since then, our community has reserved the fourth Saturday in February as National TRIO Day — an opportunity to focus the nation’s “attention on the needs of disadvantaged young people and adults aspiring to improve their lives if they are to become contributing citizens of the country, and to the talent which will be wasted if that investment is not made.”

TRIO Day

Need Help Planning

Download the TRIO Day Action Guide

Help make TRIO Day a community-wide event by engaging the support of your school and community, as well as nearby corporations and businesses. Additionally, we strongly advise you to invite your representatives in Congress to experience #NationalTRIODay in action. The National TRIO Day Action Packet includes sample invitation letters, media advisories, and other materials to assist you with promoting TRIO Day in your community.

DOWNLOAD THE PACKET

Ways to participate

A Day of giving

For many programs, National TRIO Day has become a tradition as it allows students who benefit from the TRIO programs to give back to their local communities through acts of service. In past years, National TRIO Day celebrations have included some of the following activities.

  • Building homes with Habitat and Humanity
  •  Organizing voter registration drives
  •  Raising awareness about TRIO through visits to the State Capitol
  •  Reading to children at the local library
  •  Cleaning a park, river or other public area
  •  Assisting the Salvation Army, Red Cross, United Way or local non-profit
  •  Volunteering at the Humane Society, soup kitchen or local animal shelter

 

Terrance L. Hamm

From Iowa to Louisiana, TRIO Day Commands National Attention 

February 20, 2024

On February 24, 1986, a congressional resolution declared that Saturday, February 28, 1986, should be designated as “National TRIO Day” to commemorate the annual achievements of the Federal TRIO programs in communities across the country. Every year since then, the TRIO community reserves the fourth Saturday in February as National TRIO Day.
Read More
Holly Hexter

How Communities Across the Country Plan to Celebrate National TRIO Day

February 21, 2023

TRIO communities in states across the U.S. are gearing up to mark National TRIO Day with a range of activities involving students, staff, campus and community leaders, and state and national policymakers.
Read More

Use #NationalTRIODay on social media!

Please be sure to send pictures and news clips about your TRIO Day activities to COE Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing Terrance Hamm at [email protected] and Digital Media Manager Trauvello Stevenson at [email protected]!

 

 

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Enhance the services you provide low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities to increase their chances of success.