Program Description
The Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs provides funding to enhance the skills and expertise of project directors and staff employed in the federal TRIO programs. Funds may be used for conferences, seminars, internships, workshops, or the publication of manuals. Training topics are based on priorities established by the Secretary of Education and announced in Federal Register notices.
Training Program grant competitions are held every second year.
Types of Projects
Annual training is provided via electronic and live conferences and webinars, internships, seminars, workshops, and the publication of manuals designed to improve the operation of TRIO projects. These trainings are carried out in the various regions to ensure that growth opportunities are available to all TRIO personnel in the local projects.
The topics covered in the trainings include but are not limited to:
- Legislative and regulatory requirements
- Assisting students in receiving adequate financial aid
- The design and operation of model programs
- The use of appropriate educational technology
- Strategies for recruiting and serving hard to reach populations
Funding History
The program-level information below shows historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2011 through 2023.
| Fiscal Year | Funding Allocation | Number of Awards | Number of Participants | Average Award | Average Number of Participants | Average Cost Per Participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,493,673 | 13 | 3,703 | $345,667 | 285 | $1,214 |
| 2023 | $4,377,536 | 13 | 3,590 | $336,734 | 276 | $1,219 |
| 2022 | $3,879,211 | 12 | 3,334 | $323,268 | 278 | $1,164 |
| 2021 | $2,824,292 | 10 | 2,368 | $282,429 | 237 | $1,193 |
| 2020 | $3,219,292 | 10 | 2,616 | $321,929 | 262 | $1,231 |
| 2019 | $3,216,692 | 12 | 2,695 | $268,058 | 225 | $1,194 |
| 2018 | $3,078,175 | 12 | 2,695 | $256,515 | 225 | $1,142 |
| 2017 | $2,804,995 | 13 | 2,536 | $215,769 | 195 | $1,106 |
| 2016 | $2,736,577 | 13 | 2,536 | $210,506 | 195 | $1,079 |
| 2015 | $1,524,998 | 8 | 1,306 | $190,625 | 163 | $1,168 |
| 2014 | $1,524,998 | 8 | 1,306 | $190,625 | 163 | $1,168 |
| 2013 | $1,326,776 | 6 | 1,101 | $221,129 | 184 | $1,205 |
| 2012 | $1,399,998 | 6 | 1,161 | $233,333 | 194 | $1,206 |
| 2011 | $3,528,612 | 10 | 2,500 | $352,861 | 250 | $1,411 |
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402D; 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14
- Legislation for SSS Grant Aid
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the TRIO Training Program regulations
- Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 642
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Performance Report
Grantees are required to submit annual performance reports during the two-year funding cycle using the Department's e-Reports function. This online system collects narratives and data about funded projects to enable program specialists to determine whether a grantee is making substantial progress toward meeting approved project objectives. In addition, grantees are required to submit a first-year interim performance report.
Applicant Information
FY 2026 Training Programs for Federal TRIO Programs Competition
The official funding opportunity announcement for the FY 2026 TRIO Training Program competition is available in the Federal Register.
Eligibility
Institutions of higher education and other public and private nonprofit institutions and organizations are the only entities eligible to compete for funds under the Training program.
Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the program?
The purpose of the Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs (Training Program) is to provide Federal financial assistance to train the staff and leadership personnel employed in, or preparing for employment in, Federal TRIO Program projects.
2. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
A Training Program project may include on-site training, online training, conferences, internships, seminars, workshops, and the publication of manuals designed to improve the operations of Federal TRIO Program projects.
- Each year, one or more Training Program projects must provide at least one training session on each requisite topic listed within a specific priority that is tailored to the needs of TRIO staff with less than two years of TRIO project experience.
- Each year, one or more Training Program projects must offer training covering the following topics:
- The legislative and regulatory requirements for operating projects funded under the Federal TRIO Programs.
- Assisting students to receive adequate student financial aid from programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), as well as from other programs.
- The design and operation of model Federal TRIO Program projects.
- The use of appropriate educational technology in the operation of TRIO Program projects.
- Strategies for recruiting and serving hard-to-reach populations, including students who are limited English proficient, students from groups traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students who are individuals with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youth, students who are foster care youth, or other disconnected students.
3. How often are competitions generally held?
Competitions under the TRIO Training Program are held every two years.
4. What is the duration of the average grant?
All grantees receive two-year grants.
5. What is the average annual grant amount?
The average annual grant award is $348,250.
6. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
There is no cost matching requirement for the TRIO Training Program.
7. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
Grantees are required to submit annual performance reports during the two-year funding cycle using the Department's e-Reports function. This online system collects narratives and data about funded projects to enable program specialists to determine whether a grantee is making substantial progress toward meeting approved project objectives. In addition, grantees are required to submit a first-year interim performance report.
Program Description
The Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs provides funding to enhance the skills and expertise of project directors and staff employed in the federal TRIO programs. Funds may be used for conferences, seminars, internships, workshops, or the publication of manuals. Training topics are based on priorities established by the Secretary of Education and announced in Federal Register notices.
Training Program grant competitions are held every second year.
Types of Projects
Annual training is provided via electronic and live conferences and webinars, internships, seminars, workshops, and the publication of manuals designed to improve the operation of TRIO projects. These trainings are carried out in the various regions to ensure that growth opportunities are available to all TRIO personnel in the local projects.
The topics covered in the trainings include but are not limited to:
- Legislative and regulatory requirements
- Assisting students in receiving adequate financial aid
- The design and operation of model programs
- The use of appropriate educational technology
- Strategies for recruiting and serving hard to reach populations
Funding History
The program-level information below shows historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2011 through 2023.
| Fiscal Year | Funding Allocation | Number of Awards | Number of Participants | Average Award | Average Number of Participants | Average Cost Per Participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,493,673 | 13 | 3,703 | $345,667 | 285 | $1,214 |
| 2023 | $4,377,536 | 13 | 3,590 | $336,734 | 276 | $1,219 |
| 2022 | $3,879,211 | 12 | 3,334 | $323,268 | 278 | $1,164 |
| 2021 | $2,824,292 | 10 | 2,368 | $282,429 | 237 | $1,193 |
| 2020 | $3,219,292 | 10 | 2,616 | $321,929 | 262 | $1,231 |
| 2019 | $3,216,692 | 12 | 2,695 | $268,058 | 225 | $1,194 |
| 2018 | $3,078,175 | 12 | 2,695 | $256,515 | 225 | $1,142 |
| 2017 | $2,804,995 | 13 | 2,536 | $215,769 | 195 | $1,106 |
| 2016 | $2,736,577 | 13 | 2,536 | $210,506 | 195 | $1,079 |
| 2015 | $1,524,998 | 8 | 1,306 | $190,625 | 163 | $1,168 |
| 2014 | $1,524,998 | 8 | 1,306 | $190,625 | 163 | $1,168 |
| 2013 | $1,326,776 | 6 | 1,101 | $221,129 | 184 | $1,205 |
| 2012 | $1,399,998 | 6 | 1,161 | $233,333 | 194 | $1,206 |
| 2011 | $3,528,612 | 10 | 2,500 | $352,861 | 250 | $1,411 |
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402D; 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14
- Legislation for SSS Grant Aid
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the TRIO Training Program regulations
- Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 642
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Performance Report
Grantees are required to submit annual performance reports during the two-year funding cycle using the Department's e-Reports function. This online system collects narratives and data about funded projects to enable program specialists to determine whether a grantee is making substantial progress toward meeting approved project objectives. In addition, grantees are required to submit a first-year interim performance report.
Applicant Information
FY 2026 Training Programs for Federal TRIO Programs Competition
The official funding opportunity announcement for the FY 2026 TRIO Training Program competition is available in the Federal Register.
Eligibility
Institutions of higher education and other public and private nonprofit institutions and organizations are the only entities eligible to compete for funds under the Training program.
Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the program?
The purpose of the Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs (Training Program) is to provide Federal financial assistance to train the staff and leadership personnel employed in, or preparing for employment in, Federal TRIO Program projects.
2. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
A Training Program project may include on-site training, online training, conferences, internships, seminars, workshops, and the publication of manuals designed to improve the operations of Federal TRIO Program projects.
- Each year, one or more Training Program projects must provide at least one training session on each requisite topic listed within a specific priority that is tailored to the needs of TRIO staff with less than two years of TRIO project experience.
- Each year, one or more Training Program projects must offer training covering the following topics:
- The legislative and regulatory requirements for operating projects funded under the Federal TRIO Programs.
- Assisting students to receive adequate student financial aid from programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), as well as from other programs.
- The design and operation of model Federal TRIO Program projects.
- The use of appropriate educational technology in the operation of TRIO Program projects.
- Strategies for recruiting and serving hard-to-reach populations, including students who are limited English proficient, students from groups traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students who are individuals with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youth, students who are foster care youth, or other disconnected students.
3. How often are competitions generally held?
Competitions under the TRIO Training Program are held every two years.
4. What is the duration of the average grant?
All grantees receive two-year grants.
5. What is the average annual grant amount?
The average annual grant award is $348,250.
6. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
There is no cost matching requirement for the TRIO Training Program.
7. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
Grantees are required to submit annual performance reports during the two-year funding cycle using the Department's e-Reports function. This online system collects narratives and data about funded projects to enable program specialists to determine whether a grantee is making substantial progress toward meeting approved project objectives. In addition, grantees are required to submit a first-year interim performance report.