Students from underrepresented backgrounds at the University may be offered fewer opportunities in the near future.
The Federal TRIO Programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects.
At the University, these programs include Student Support Services and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program.
For the Student Support Services, Upward Bound, McNair and TRIO Training programs, an across-the-board reduction of approximately 3.1 percent will be applied to grants for which continuation awards are made next year, according to the TRIO website.
Lemar Clifford, LSU alumnus, said he disagrees with cuts to TRIO funding. A member of SSS during his undergraduate years, Clifford said the program built professional relationships that helped him continue his successful journey, including a job as an Upward Bound instructor in Baton Rouge.
“SSS benefited my career in that it provided me with necessary tools that any first generation college student requires, like help with scheduling classes, counseling and opportunities to give back to the community,” Clifford said.
To foster optimum student growth, the goals of SSS provide for students’ needs, like helping students adjust to college life, assuring students remain in good academic standing and assisting students in achieving their graduation goals.
Students accepted into the program receive many benefits, such as tickets to cultural events on campus and around town, equipment loans, academic advising and personal counseling with staff members, and financial literacy information.
The Ronald McNair Scholar program offers minority and low-income, first-generation college students to enroll in graduate studies and acquire doctorate degrees.
Students interested in the McNair Program must have a desire to pursue a Ph.D and maintain academic performance that is consistent with competitive graduate school applicants.
Nationally, more than 800,000 students rely on TRIO Programs for support in their pursuit of a college degree, according to Change.org.
 
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Contact Jalissa Bates at [email protected]