Welcome and Purpose
Thank you for your interest in joining the Wisconsin Alumni and Advocacy Network. Alum of a TRiO Programs are welcome and
strongly encouraged to join regardless of where they where a participant or where they currently reside. Friends of TRiO,
parents of participants (current or former), Teachers, Administrators, and all persons interested in being part of a
network dedicated to ensuring access to educational Opportunities for all.
About TRiO
TRiO is the umbrella name for Educational Opportunity Programs for Low-Income, First-Generation and Disabled Americans
funded by the US Federal Government and administered by the Department of Education. TRiO grants are awarded through a
competitive grant application process to colleges, universities and not-for-profit community organizations.
Our nation has asserted a commitment to providing educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race,
ethnic background or economic circumstance.
In support of this commitment, Congress established a series of programs to help low-income Americans enter college,
graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life. These Programs are funded under
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO Programs (initially just three programs).
While student financial aid programs help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, TRIO programs help
students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.
Each of the TRiO Programs provides an extensive array of services designed to provide access and increased opportunity for
success in post-secondary educational opportunities. TRiO programs include:
- Educational Talent Search (ETS)
- Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)
- Upward Bound (UB)
- Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS)
- Upward Bound Veterans (UBVet)
- Student Support Services (SSS)
- Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair)
About WAEOPP
The Wisconsin Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (WAEOPP) is a recognized 501(c)3
non-profit consortium of professionals with the specific purpose of leveling the playing field of educational
opportunity for first generation, low income, and disabled students. WAEOPP is one of the ten states that make up
the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel(MAEOPP) which is the representative
professional body for colleges, universities and agencies that host federally-funded TRIO educational
opportunity programs in the great Midwest. WAEOPP and MAEOPP advocates on behalf of those persons least likely to
enroll in and obtain a college degree at our nation's higher education institutions and are member organizations of the
internationally recognized Council for Opportunity in Education (COE).