TRiO programs

The goal of federal TRiO programs is to assist low-income and first generation youth and adults to enroll in and complete a post-secondary program.

These educational opportunity outreach programs are designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
TRIO includes five outreach and support programs designed to serve and assist low-income, first-generation college, and disabled students to help them progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs.

Educational Opportunity Center

MN Education Opportunity Center (EOC) is a free educational outreach program that helps eligible adults in Minnesota metro area pursue a college education and/or training. EOC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Title IV, TRIO programs.

Through EOC you can:

Examine career options
Choose a college or training program
Apply for admission and financial aid
Get referrals to ESL/GED/ABE
Get referrals to Social Services
Search for scholarships
Resolve student loan defaults (for potential students only)
Attend workshops on such topics as: College Survival, School Shopping, Jobs of the Future, Financial Aid, etc.

Starting Point

The Starting Point program offers services that help students stay in college until they graduate and/or transfer to an institution that offers bachelor's degrees.

Educational Talent Search

Educational Talent Search at MCTC is a federally funded program that provides free educational, vocational, career and financial aid information to first generation, low-income high school students in the Twin Cities metro area. Educational Talent Search advisors are located at South High School, Edison High School, and Henry High School.

High School Upward Bound

High School Upward Bound Program is an academic support program that provides counseling, academic courses, and supportive services to high school student. To help them successfully complete a post-secondary educational program.

The program serves high schools students in the Twin Cities metro area who:

Have grade level proficiency in reading and math or demonstrated ability to achieve academically
Are committed to graduating from high school and to pursuing a post- secondary educational program
Attend class regularly and are committed to program requirements/activities
Are first-generation college students (i.e. neither parent has completed a bachelor's degree)
Are low-income

Veterans Upward Bound

Veteran Upward Bound is a federally-funded TRiO program that helps low income and first generation college-bound veterans return to school. This full-service educational center offers free refresher courses in writing, reading, math, science, computer literacy, French, and study skills.Other services include career counseling, enrollment assistance, financial aid counseling, G.E.D preparation, and one-on-one tutoring.

Students work at their own pace without grades and all books and supplies are provided free.The center also has a computer lab with six computers, which students can use to write papers, browse the internet and check their email messages.