TRiO Programs

Mineral Area College hosts three TRiO programs: Upward Bound, EXCEL/Student Support Services (SSS) and Educational Talent Search.These programs, funded by the Department of Education, help eligible students overcome barriers to successfully participating in higher education. All services offered by the TRiO programs are provided at no cost to participants.

EXCEL/Student Support Services (SSS)

EXCEL/SSS is an academic support program that serves low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities who are enrolled at Mineral Area College and who have the potential to earn an associate's degree. The primary goals of EXCEL/SSS are to retain students until they graduate from Mineral Area College and to assist students in the transfer process. In order to achieve these goals, EXCEL/SSS provides individual and group tutoring in all general education courses and many electives; advising services including assistance with course selection, degree planning, registration, and applying for financial aid; economic literacy information; assisting students in identifying, researching and applying to four-year universities; and accompanying students on visits to college campuses. Scholarships and SSS Supplemental Grant Aid are provided, subject to availability of funding.

Educational 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.

Upward Bound

Upward Bound is a high school college prep program that helps eligible 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.