What is TRiO?

The history of TRiO is progressive. It began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to President Lyndon B. Johnson’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 a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960's, the term "TRiO" was coined to describe these federal programs. Since then, the TRiO program has expanded to include Veterans Upward Bound, Educational Opportunity Centers, Training Programs for Federal TRiO Programs (authorized by the 1976 Education Amendments), Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, and Upward Bound Math/Science.  Although there are now eight programs, the term “TRiO” remains. 

Rutgers-Camden TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded program within the Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success.  The services that SSS provides are specifically designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of first-generation and low-income students. Our services include one-on-one professional and peer tutoring, academic coaching, and academic enrichment and financial literacy workshops. We also provide grant aid/scholarships to eligible SSS participants.
 

Mission Statement

The central mission of the TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) program at Rutgers-Camden is to provide enhanced academic and other support services to undergraduate students who are low-income, first-generation and students with disabilities. The goal of SSS is to increase retention and graduation rates among its participants. Ultimately, SSS strives to maximize the benefits of a college education for its participants, positioning them to graduate in a timely manner and exit the university well-equipped for continued success.
 

Vision

TRiO Student Support Services at Rutgers-Camden will be an exemplary program providing a transformative undergraduate experience to a diverse student population who may come from disadvantaged circumstances.  Our approach is strengths-based, informed by best practices, and focused on exceptional service to students and the success of students which is best measured by graduation.