The program supported 471 projects serving approximately 364,000 students in 2008.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds are awarded to institutions and agencies to identify disadvantaged youths with potential for postsecondary education, encourage them to complete secondary school and undertake postsecondary educational training, and publicize existing forms of student aid.

Projects may also provide tutorial services for youths being encouraged to undertake or reenter programs of postsecondary education.

A grantee may not use the project as a part of its recruitment program.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations, a combination of the above and, in exceptional cases, secondary schools may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Individuals residing in the target area or attending a target school who have potential for education at the postsecondary level and who can benefit from one or more of the services provided by the project. Two-thirds must be low-income individuals who are also potential first generation college students. Project participants must be between 11 and 27 years old (exceptions allowed). Required low-income criteria for participants are stated in application materials.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations EDGAR). This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.

A-102.

Application Procedures

Develop a proposal in accordance with regulations, applications, and timetables issued by the Secretary of Education; no State plan is required. Requests for program applications should be made to the Federal TRIO Programs. This program is subject to the provisions of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).

Award Procedures

Selected nonfederal field readers evaluate new proposals on the basis of the selection criteria specified in 34 CFR 643.21 and 34 CFR 643.22. Grantees will be selected on the basis of satisfactory proposals and availability of funds.

Deadlines

Deadlines are published in the Federal Register.

Authorization

Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Sections 402B, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1070a-12.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

About 90 to 180 days.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Continuation awards are approved for up to 5 years on an annual basis, subject to the availability of funds.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Four or 5-year projects, annual awards. Continuations are subject to the availability of funds.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Performance reports are required on an annual basis.

Audits

In accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR (75.702, 74.61.)

Records

In accordance with 34 CFR 75.730, 75.731, and 75.732.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $142,884,182; FY 08 est $142,900,000; and FY 09 est $142,884,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The average 2008 award is expected to be approximately $303,000. The minimum grant award is $220,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

EDGAR and 34 CFR 643.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Federal TRIO Programs, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202- 5249. Contact: Loretta Brown, E-mail: trio@ed.gov; Telephone: (202) 502-7539.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

For new awards, applicants will be selected on the basis of the criteria set forth in 34 CFR 643.21.