Sept. 30, 2025 ̶ ̶ The U.S. Department of Education has renewed and expanded funding for the University of Memphis’ TRIO programs, awarding a total of $1.1 million to continue helping first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities succeed in college.
Since 2005, more than 5,000 UofM students have benefited from tutoring, financial aid guidance, career exploration, counseling and mentoring services offered by TRIO — support that helps them stay in school, graduate and launch meaningful careers.
The funding has been allocated across four Student Support Services (SSS) programs:
- $286,109 for the Classical program
- $272,364 for the STEM program
- $309,504 for TRIO Upward Bound
- $272,364 for a brand-new Teacher Prep program
“These grants allow the University of Memphis to deepen our commitment to ensuring that all students — regardless of background — can thrive academically and personally,” said Eric Bailey, UofM’s senior associate vice provost for Student Academic Success. “TRIO Programs help level the playing field and equip our students with the tools and confidence to graduate and lead.”
The impact goes well beyond Memphis. National studies show that students in TRIO are significantly more likely to earn a degree than their peers. A 2019 U.S. Department of Education evaluation found that TRIO students at four-year institutions were 18% more likely to graduate.
“TRIO programs transform students from the least resourced backgrounds into college graduates,” said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education. “This vital program makes all the difference for nearly a million students each year across the country.”
TRIO is made up of eight federally funded programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965: Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. Each is designed to break down social, academic and cultural barriers to higher education. Services include but are not limited toassistance in choosing and applying to a college, tutoring, financial counseling, and assistance to reenter high school or college.
For more information about TRIO Student Support Services at the University of Memphis, visit memphis.edu/trio or contact Melvyn Harding at mharding@memphis.edu.
Parker King, Assistant Director
University Media and Public Relations
University of Memphis
(O) 901.678.4822
