Mineral Area College hosts three TRIO programs: Upward Bound, EXCEL (Student Support Services), and Educational Talent Search. These programs, funded by the Department of Education, help students overcome barriers to successfully participating in higher education.

Talent Search

The program identifies and assists youth ages 11 to 27 years of age who meet US Department of Education guidelines, and who have the potential to succeed in postsecondary education. The program provides academic, career, and financial aid advising, tutoring, college campus visits, assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations, financial aid planning, and assistance in completing college admissions forms. The goal of the Talent Search Program is to increase the number of eligible youth who graduate from high school and continue on to postsecondary institutions of their choice.

EXCEL

The program is a federally-funded TRIO program designed to help students overcome academic, social, cultural, and other barriers in order to succeed in college. The program provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and challenges students to achieve their academic potential.

Upward Bound

Upward Bound is a high school college prep program that helps students prepare for success in high school and college by providing activities to sharpen their skills and encourage achievement.  There is no cost to the student or their family to participate.  Upward Bound at Mineral Area College is one of more than 900 Upward Bound programs federally funded through the U. S. Department of Education.  Many of those programs have been operating since 1965.