What is STAR TRIO

The Federal TRIO Programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes six outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects and a dissemination partnership program to encourage the replication or adaptation of successful practices of TRIO projects at institutions and agencies that do not have TRIO grants.

STAR is funded 80% with a $293,296 grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education, TRIO Programs and 20% with Mesa College funds. STAR provides students opportunities for academic development, assists with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students towards the successful completion of their postsecondary education. The goal of STAR TRIO is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and to facilitate the process of transition to the four-year university.

History of the Federal Trio Program

The history of TRIO is progressive. It began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the 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 the series. By the late 1960's, the term "TRIO" was coined to describe these federal programs. (Read more on the History).

Learn More About the Federal TRIO Programs:

• US Dept of Education TRIO SSS
• Council for Opportunity in Education
• Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel
• Southern California Chapter WESTOP