TRIO History

The War on Poverty

In his first State of the Union address, President Lyndon Baines Johnson declares “War on Poverty.” Later that year, he signs the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 into law. This legislation establishes the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity (“OEO”). This independent agency generates many new social welfare programs, including Jobs Corps, Head Start, and a college-preparatory demonstration project called Upward Bound.

Higher Education Act of 1965

On November 8, that same year, President Johnson signs the Higher Education Act of 1965 (“HEA”), which authorized a new program called Talent Search to identify “exceptionally talented, exceptionally needy” students.

TRIO programs form as one becomes three.

In the first reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, Congress transfers management of Upward Bound from the Office of Economic Opportunity to the Office of Education. Congress also creates a new program for undergraduates: Special Services for Disadvantaged Students (now known as Student Support Services). Together with Talent Search, these three programs are known informally as “the TRIO programs.”

A commitment to adult learners

In the 1972 HEA reauthorization, Congress creates the fourth TRIO program – Educational Opportunity Centers (“EOCs”) – to provide counseling and information on college admissions to adults who want to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education.

Also, under the Upward Bound authority, the Office of Education administers the first Veterans Upward Bound grants to address the needs of servicemen returning home from the Vietnam War.

A Champion in Congress

In the 1976 HEA reauthorization, Congress creates the TRIO Staff Training Program (i.e., TRIO Training Grants).

Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), the first African-American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, adopts TRIO as cause and assists the TRIO community in advancing its interests.

Home, Sweet Home

The Department of Education Organization Act dismantles the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and establishes a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Education. TRIO programs were transferred to the new Department’s Office of Postsecondary Education, Division of Student Services.

Preparation for Doctoral Study

In response to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Deficit Reduction Act, which mandates an across-the-board cut to government funding, Congress proclaims February 28, 1986 as “National TRIO Day” (H. Con. Res. 278) to highlight the needs and accomplishments of TRIO students and programs. Subsequently, National TRIO Day is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of each February.

In the 1986 HEA reauthorization, Congress creates a fifth TRIO program – the “Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program” – to prepare low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students to pursue doctoral study.

Research and other scholarly activities

Through $1.5 million, the first 14 McNair programs support 600 students. The host institutions were:

– American University
– Bowie State University
– California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
– CUNY-John Jay
– Marquette University
– North Carolina A&T University
– Oberlin University 
– Rutgers University
– SUNY at Buffalo
– University of Illinois at Urbana
– University of Maine
– University of Maryland–College Park
– University of Massachusetts—Boston
– Wesleyan University

War on Opportunity

In what would be known as the “War on Opportunity,” the TRIO community defeats a proposal by the House Budget Committee to eliminate TRIO.

The TRIO community defeats the White House’s attempt to eliminate Upward Bound, Talent Search, and GEAR UP.

College Cost Reduction and Access Act

In the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the TRIO community secures $228 million (over four years) to fund 200 additional Upward Bound projects in that year’s grant competition.

Upward Bound celebrates 50 years of service.

The TRIO community defeats an amendment to revoke $60 million from TRIO by a House floor vote of 153-263.

The TRIO community co-hosts the first National First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8, to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Educational Opportunity Centers and Veterans Upward Bound celebrate 50 years of service.