The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals with varying needs. TRIO includes many different programs targeted to serve and assist student access and successful completion at a post-secondary institution. Students in TRIO programs can progress through the academic pipeline starting in middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. TRIO students include those that are first in their families to go to college, have a limited income, or have a disability. These programs are funded by the US Department of Education. GVSU TRIO staff serve approximately 2,400 first-generation and/or low-income participants. 

Below are the current programs at Grand Valley State University.

Assisting middle and high school students in preparing for college entrance. These programs support in the exploration, admissions, and acceptance to, the college or university of their choice. Click on the blue button in order to visit the program website for more information!

Educational Talent Search (ETS)

Educational Talent Search (ETS), a part of Grand Valley State University's College of Education and Community Innovation, identifies and assists underrepresented individuals who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The ultimate goal of ETS is to increase the representation of youths from underrepresented backgrounds in post-secondary educational institutions around the United States. ETS serves citizens between the ages of 11-27 that have finished the 5th grade. ETS is funded to serve 719 participants. 

Upward Bound (UB) -- Detroit

The GVSU TRIO Upward Bound (UB) Detroit program is designed to assist high school students from traditionally underserved backgrounds reach their potential by earning a college degree. UB serves high school students from low-income families and who are first-generation college students (their parents did not graduate from college with a bachelor's degree), and primarily supports students at University Prep District High Schools. Upward Bound - Detroit is funded to serve 60 participants. 

Upward Bound (UB) -- Grand Rapids

The Upward Bound Program (UB) is a federally funded program that provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The Upward Bound program has been federally funded at GVSU since 1978 to serve students in Grand Rapids Public School District who attend Union High School and Innovation Central High School. Upward Bound participants are in 9th-12th grade or between the ages of 13-19. UB is funded to serve 100 participants. 

Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) -- Detroit

The GVSU TRIO Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) – Detroit program is designed to assist high school students from traditionally underserved backgrounds reach their potential by earning a college degree. UBMS UB serves high school students from low-income families and who are first-generation college students (their parents did not graduate from college with a bachelor's degree), and primarily supports students at University Prep District High Schools. Upward Bound Math Science - Detroit is funded to serve 60 participants. 

Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) -- Wyoming

The GVSU TRIO Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) – Wyoming program is designed to assist high school students from traditionally underserved backgrounds reach their potential by earning a college degree. UBMS serves high school students from low-income families and who are first-generation college students (their parents did not graduate from college with a bachelor's degree), and primarily supports students at Lee High School and Kelloggsville High School. Upward Bound Math Science - Wyoming is funded to serve 60 participants. 

Assisting and preparing adults for opportunities for educational and career success, these programs support in the exploration, admissions, and acceptance process to the post-secondary education path of their choice. Click on the blue button in order to visit the program website for more information!

Laker Educational Opportunity Center (LEOC)

The Laker Educational Opportunity Center (LEOC) connects adults with educational opportunities. They provide guidance for re-entry into postsecondary education, alternative education, and GEDs, financial aid assistance, financial literacy, peer mentoring and college application assistance. The LEOC serves residents of Kent or Muskegon county that are 19+, first generational, low-income, U.S. citizens. LEOC is funded to serve 850 participants. 

Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)

Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) seeks to increase opportunity and access for veterans pursuing postsecondary education by introducing them to resources related to college and career readiness. Eligibility requirements are 180 days of active duty service, any discharge above dishonorable, residency in Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, or Ottawa County, and that they have not obtained a Bachelor’s degree. It does not require enrollment at any college or university. VUB is funded to serve 125 participants.

College TRIO programs help students to successfully persist in college and obtain a degree. Programs include support for students pursuing undergraduate and/or graduate degrees. Click on the blue button in order to visit each college programs' website.

Student Support Services ( SSS Classic)

The Student Support Services (SSS Classic) is a federally funded, comprehensive support program for first-generation and limited-income college students. The goal of the program is to offer every possible form of support for participants along their journey to graduation from Grand Valley State University. Through the program, participants are assigned an advisor and have access to peer mentors who can help them achieve success while in college. Funded to support 215 participants. 

Teacher Preparation Student Support Services (TPSSS)

The Teacher Preparation Student Support Services program (TPSSS) is a federally funded grant program that promotes the success, retention, and graduation of future teachers from GVSU. TPSSS works with teaching majors who are first-generation, income-eligible students or students with disabilities to help them work toward graduation by offering them individualized services based on personalized needs as much as possible. Funded to support 140 participants.

Student Support Services STEM--Health Sciences (TRIO STEM)

The goal of the Student Support Services STEM-Health Sciences (TRIO STEM) program is to increase rates of academic achievement, retention, and graduation among historically underrepresented students interested in the STEM-Health Science majors by providing holistic and individualized support services that maximize students’ innate abilities, draw upon available resources within and outside of the university, and benefit students, families, and the larger community. Funded to support 120 participants. 

If you are a first-generation college student and want to apply to be a part of any of the three Student Support Services (SSS) programs, please click here to apply:

TRIO SSS Programs Application

Applications will begin processing after May 3rd. Please note that notifications may not be sent out until June. 

The McNair program is the only TRIO program of it's kind: A support system for underrepresented and/or first-generation and low-income students who are interested in pursuing a PhD. 

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars)

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program’s (McNair Scholars Program) goal is to increase the number of underrepresented and/or first-generation and limited-income students in Ph.D. programs and careers across the country. Scholars participate in a 15- month program that includes academic and career counseling, tutoring, GRE preparation, graduate school application preparation, and academic writing preparation. The program also includes a research stipend of up to $4,000 and subsidized housing during the 12-week intensive summer research portion of the program. Scholars will also have access to funding for conference travel and graduate school visits, among other benefits. The Ronald E. McNair Program has been on Grand Valley State University’s campus since 1995. Funded to support 34 participants

FirstGen Forward is the nation's first recognition program acknowledging higher education institutions for their commitment to first-generation student success. There are currently 268 designated First-gen Forward Institutions. Collectively, they represent a community of professionals prepared to share evidence-based practices and resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge, and continue to advance the success of first-generation students across the United States. 

In order to be eligible, a program must: 

• Be an active, accredited, two-year or four-year institution of higher education located within the United States
• Be a NASPA institutional member
• Secure senior leadership support and commitment to participation
• Designate a minimum of two currently employed faculty and/or staff to serve as the institutional representatives
• Commit to fulfilling the requirements

2022-23 FIRST-GEN FORWARD COHORT