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TRIO Programs

TRIO Programs

TRIO programs at Azusa Pacific University are federal outreach and student services programs that identify and provide services for students who meet federal income guidelines and are first-generation college students, students with disabilities, or students underrepresented in graduate education.

Azusa Pacific University has three TRIO programs: Upward Bound, Student Support Services, and the McNair Scholars Program. These programs give participants the skills and motivation to succeed by improving financial and economic literacy, increasing retention and graduation rates, preparing students for doctoral study, and fostering a supportive climate for the success of students from groups that are historically underrepresented in postsecondary education.

Meet the Staff

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a program funded through the U.S. Department of Education that provides comprehensive services for students who are the first in their families to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Azusa Pacific University. Participants receive guidance that empowers them with the knowledge and skills to navigate APU, thrive holistically, and transition into their careers. SSS cultivates a backdrop of community, achievement, and leadership while valuing each student’s individuality and unique goals. TRIO Student Support Services positively impacts student retention, graduation, and career success through individual coaching, mentorship, educational workshops, financial education, and community building. 

TRIO Student Support Services is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education and provides opportunities for academic development to motivate students toward successful completion of postsecondary education. Services are available for all students who demonstrate academic need, including first-generation students, those from low-income families, and those with disabilities requiring learning accommodations. Through its services, the program aims to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.

Program Distinctives

  • Financial aid education that equips participants with the skills to understand financial aid and make sound financial decisions.
  • One-on-one career coaching, workshops, and assessments to develop participants in career preparedness.
  • Peer mentoring to freshmen and transfer students to assist in the transition to APU.
  • Individualized academic, career, and personal coaching.
  • Customized resources that promote financial literacy and minimize student debt.
  • Tutoring and study-skill development.
  • Cultural experiences and field trips that contribute to participants’ holistic development.
  • Graduate school application support and tours to introduce students to graduate school opportunities.
  • Priority registration to engaged participants.
  • Grant aid scholarships to eligible participants.

Students must apply to become part of TRIO Student Support Services. View the criteria and application instructions below.

To be eligible, an applicant must be enrolled at Azusa Pacific University or accepted for enrollment in the next academic term. In addition, each applicant must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be a first-generation college student (i.e., neither parent has a bachelor’s degree)
  • Meet income guidelines, based on family’s taxable income as determined by the U.S. Department of Education
  • Have a documented physical or learning disability requiring accommodations (verification required through Accessibility and Disability Resources)

If you have questions regarding your eligibility, contact [email protected].

If you are interested in applying to TRIO SSS, submit an online application or schedule a meeting with TRIO SSS staff. If you’d like more information, email [email protected] or call our office at (626) 815-6000, Ext. 2441. Once an application is submitted, the applicant will be contacted by email for next steps.

TRIO Upward Bound (UB)

Upward Bound (UB) is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Education that supports 60 students each year in their preparation for college admission. At Azusa Pacific University, UB provides holistic programming to potential first-generation college students from Azusa High School who demonstrate academic potential. UB Scholars receive services that help them identify their strengths, explore their purpose, and thrive in academic and social settings. Additionally, UB Scholars graduate high school with the ability to navigate postsecondary institutions and persevere through adversity. As a result, UB Scholars are empowered to advocate for themselves and achieve their education goals.

To be eligible, an individual must be enrolled at Azusa High School and must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be a potential first-generation-to-college student (i.e., neither parent has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university)
  • Demonstrate financial need according to U.S. Department of Education guidelines
  • Demonstrate a need for academic support

If you have questions regarding your eligibility, contact Upward Bound at [email protected].

Meet the requirements above? If you are interested in applying to the TRIO Upward Bound Program at Azusa Pacific University, email [email protected] or call us at (626) 815-2058. Applications are released to Azusa High School students based on program availability.

Services TRIO UB Offers

TRIO Upward Bound (UB) provides six key services to prepare UB Scholars for college admissions. UB partners with Azusa Pacific University and the Azusa community to provide high-quality services and implement high-impact practices.
Upward Bound offers weekly after-school tutoring sessions for UB Scholars at Azusa High School. Tutoring sessions provide Scholars with supplemental instruction needed to succeed in A-G courses and provide the opportunity to pursue academic interests beyond their coursework.
UB Scholars meet with program staff to develop their individual education plan, designed to help them achieve their education goals. With the help of program staff, Scholars monitor and evaluate their individual education plan progress. Academic counseling aims to address the holistic needs of students through conversations about course selection, college admission requirements, financial aid options, and personal, educational, and career goals.
Upward Bound hosts 13 academic-year workshops and supplemental instruction on Saturdays to provide Scholars with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in college. Supplemental instruction includes preparation for college entrance exams and state assessments. Workshops cover topics such as financial aid, financial literacy, career exploration, college applications, study skills, time management, and self-advocacy. Students also receive instruction in mathematics, laboratory science, languages other than English, composition, and literature.
Upward Bound provides exposure to college campuses and cultural events throughout the year, including campus tours and trips to plays, museums, and conferences. Participating in campus tours provides Scholars with opportunities to reflect on their academic and career plans, and culturally enriching activities such as plays and museum trips contribute to Scholars’ appreciation of other cultures as well as their own.
Upward Bound hosts meetings for UB Scholar parents and guardians to demystify the college-going process and empower them to make informed decisions about their child’s education. Family information workshops cover topics such as postsecondary education options, college admission requirements, financial aid, and the first-generation-through-college experience.
Upward Bound provides a Summer Academy where UB Scholars participate in academic enrichment courses in English literature and composition, mathematics, laboratory science, and languages other than English to prepare for high levels of achievement in their subsequent academic year. In addition, Scholars participate in recreational and personal development activities to prepare them for the rigors of college. The six-week Summer Academy culminates with a one-week residential experience hosted at Azusa Pacific University, allowing Scholars to experience residence life on a college campus.

TRIO McNair Scholars

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (McNair Scholars) Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and provide direct services to APU students. Participants in the McNair Scholars Program engage in opportunities for research or other scholarly activities; summer internships (with stipends); seminars and other educational activities that prepare students for doctoral study; tutoring; academic counseling; and activities that help them secure admission to, and financial assistance for enrollment in, graduate programs. APU McNair Scholars Program participants also have access to a wide range of educational opportunities that relate to their respective needs, including education or counseling services that improve their financial and economic literacy; mentoring programs involving select APU faculty members, select students (peer mentoring), or a combination of faculty members and students; and exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to students from underserved communities.

The targeted populations for the McNair Scholars Program are sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled at APU who meet income guidelines as defined by the U.S. Department of Education, are first-generation or from historically underrepresented groups in higher education, show high promise in disciplines across the academic spectrum, and who demonstrate commitment to pursuing advanced degrees—doctoral degrees in particular.

 

The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society.

To be eligible, the applicant must be enrolled at Azusa Pacific University and must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Be a United States (U.S.) citizen or national or a permanent legal resident.
  • Be a first-generation college student (neither parent has a bachelor's degree) AND meet the income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education; OR be a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education (the U.S. Department of Education defines “underrepresented groups” as American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic/Latinx, African-American/Black, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander).
  • Has not enrolled in doctoral-level study at an institution of higher education.
  • Has at least two years of undergraduate studies remaining.

If you have questions regarding your eligibility, contact the McNair Scholars Program at [email protected].

Meet the requirements above? If you are interested in applying, email [email protected] or submit the following application.

Apply to McNair Scholars Program

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (626) 815-2441

Hours

Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Location

Smith Hall, Room 134
apu campus