Contract Open

Description of Today’s TRIO Programs and Proposing Options for Future Outcome Evaluations

NCEE Evaluation Division Postsecondary, Adult Education, and Choice Studies

Program: Higher Education Act

Award amount: $2,639,963

Awardee:

Decision Information Resources, Mathematica

Year: 2025

Duration: 4 years 6 months (09/29/2025 - 03/31/2030)

Project type:

Exploration, Implementation Study

Contract number: 91990023D0015

Background

Authorized under the Higher Education Act (HEA), TRIO programs are intended to expand educational opportunity for low-income and first-generation college students and people with disabilities. This study of the TRIO program is intended to add to the existing evidence base on TRIO programs by producing a set of more comprehensive findings that better reflect the current educational landscape, student populations, and grantees. The project has two parts. First is an impact evaluation feasibility study that could be used to inform a future TRIO impact evaluation. Second is a descriptive study of how TRIO programs operate across different contexts and how funds are allocated and used. The Department will use the findings to assess its investments in TRIO and identify promising directions for strengthening the program.

Project Activities

Research question

What are feasible design options to determine how outcomes for TRIO participants compare to outcomes for similar students who do not participate in TRIO programs?
How do grantees utilize TRIO funding?

Structured Abstract

Design

The feasibility study will present design options for rigorous methodologies that could be used to conduct a future TRIO impact evaluation. The descriptive part of the project will field a survey to all TRIO grantees to gather information on how grantees use TRIO funding, allocate resources across services, and track students’ success. Results will be disaggregated by TRIO program and will also examine how costs for common services vary across programs.