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TRIO Achievement Program

The TRIO Achievement Program is a TRIO Student Support Services project funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education that supports the retention to graduation of students from modest income backgrounds and those whose parents do not have a four-year college degree. Students with documented disabilities also are eligible to apply for the TRIO Achievement Program.

The mission of the TRIO Achievement Program is to provide participants personalized support and comprehensive programming to promote academic success, personal growth, and a meaningful sense of community.

TRIO assists with all aspects of the student experience -- personal, financial, academic, cultural, and more. The five goals of the program are retention, graduation, good academic standing, graduate/professional school enrollment, and a positive campus climate for TRIO students.

TRIO Services

Personalized academic planning
Professional writing assistance
Tutorial support for select introductory courses
FAFSA assistance
Community-building activities
Academic skill development (time management, test-taking, and more)
Peer mentoring program
Skill-building and informational workshops (college budgeting, study abroad, and more)
Cultural enrichment events
Resume development
Financial literacy information
TRIO Emerging Leaders program
Alumni mentoring program
Early-arrival TRIO Bridge Program for new participants
TRIO 100 course for new first-year students enrolled in First-Year Preceptorial (FP)

What is "TRIO"?

TRIO is NOT an acronym. It was the name given to the original three programs established by the federal government in the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure equal educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic circumstance. The "trio" of programs consisted of Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Student Support Services. Although TRIO has expanded to include Educational Opportunity Centers, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Programs, Upward Bound Math & Science, and Veterans Upward Bound, the name TRIO has remained.

Knox College has had a Student Support Services program (TRIO Achievement Program) since 1974 and Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program since 1992.


TRIO logo

"I love this program. It has contributed a lot to my successful year."

"If I were not a part of TRIO, I would be missing out on so many opportunities that help prepare me for the real world."