TRIO Programs

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.

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.

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.