ASPIRE - Promoting Education and Opportunity

ASPIRE FAQ

TRIO Terms

Appropriation

The amount of funding which Congress annually sets aside for a particular department or program for a specific purpose. In the case of TRIO, the amount appropriated to the U.S. Department of Education for the purpose of funding TRIO projects.

Authorization

The legislation which authorizes the existence of a program as well as the amount of funding which may be appropriated to that program. An authorized budget may be stated as a minimum amount, a maximum amount or as β€œsuch funds as may be necessary.” Authorization does NOT guarantee appropriation.

CAS

Council for the Advancement of Standards. An organization which has approved professional standards to govern TRIO, educational opportunity programs, as well as many other professions.

ED or DOE

The acronym for the U.S. Department of Education or Education Department.

EDGAR

An acronym for Education Department General Administrative Regulations; [34 CFR Parts 74 through 85] are sections of EDGAR which are relevant to TRIO.

Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC)

One of the TRIO programs which provides educational and career counseling to help adults complete the requirements for pursuing a post-secondary education.

First-Generation College Students

In regard to TRIO programs, refers to a student whose natural or adoptive parent(s) did not complete a baccalaureate degree; for an individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent before her/ his 18th birthday; or the custodial parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree.

GPRA

Government Performance and Results Act. A statute which requires all federal agencies to manage their activities with attention to the consequences of those activities. Each agency is to clearly state what it intends to accomplish, identify the resources required, and periodically report their progress to the Congress.

Grant Administration and Payment System (GAPS)

A financial subsystem that is part of the Department’s larger Education Central Automated Processing System (EDCAPS). GAPS provides on-line capabilities for grant recipients to request payments and access their account to obtain their most current payment information.

Grant Award Notification (GAN)

Official document signed by the ED authorized official stating the amount of the terms and conditions of an award for a discretionary grant or cooperative agreement. This document will also list the ED contact, PR/Award Number, and award period.

Higher Education Act

This is the legislation that governs the TRIO programs. This law, which first passed in 1965, created the TRIO programs. Last amended in October 2008 as the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA).

Low-Income

An individual whose family’s taxable income did not exceed 150% of the poverty level in the calendar preceding the year in which the individual participates in the project.

McNair Program

One of the TRIO programs provides services and guidance to help students who are first-generation, low-income students or members of groups under-represented in graduate education to prepare for and pursue graduate Ph.D. degrees. The McNair program is one of only a few programs that encourage low-income and minority undergraduates to prepare for doctoral study.

National TRIO Day

The last Saturday of February is a day to showcase the successes of TRIO programs state- or region-wide and get together for a celebration including gatherings at state capitols, panel discussions, parades, educational workshops, and/or talent shows.

OMB Circulars

Administrative policy documents which are issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that give instruction to federal agencies on a variety of topics, including the administration of federal grants and cooperative agreements. The OMB ensures that agency reports, rules, testimony, and proposed legislations are consistent with the President’s budget and with Administration policies.

Student Support Services

One of three original TRIO programs provides services to help ensure the success of first-generation, low-income, or disabled students after they enroll in a college or university.

Talent Search or Educational Talent Search

One of the three original TRIO programs, which provides educational guidance to help students in grades 6 through 12 complete high school and enroll in colleges and universities.

TRIO

Refers to all programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV Sub Part 4 – special programs for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

TRIO Achievers

TRIO graduates who are making significant contributions to their chosen professions and community service.

Upward Bound

One of the three original TRIO programs, which provides academic and cultural enrichment activities to help students in grades 9 through 12 complete high school and enroll in colleges and universities.

Upward Bound Math/Science

UBMS is designed to strengthen the math and science skills of participating students. The goal of the program is to help students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science and encourage them to pursue post-secondary degrees in these fields. Students learn computer technology as well as English, foreign language, and study skills.

Veterans Upward Bound

Programs that provide intensive basic skills development and short-term remedial courses for military veterans to help them successfully transition to post-secondary education. Veterans learn how to secure support from available resources such as the Veterans Administration, veterans associations, and various state and local agencies that serve veterans.

ASPIRE 101 – Questions and Answers

What is ASPIRE Discord?

ASPIRE Discord is the social media platform available only to current ASPIRE members. Discord is a social media platform. You should be a current ASPIRE member to join our Discord. Workplace.

The ASPIRE Discord website is:Β https://discord.gg/uj2g4JW6Up

What is a Project membership?

ASPIRE Project Membership provides a project the opportunity to support the region and receive training benefits for staff at the regional level. Prior to the regional annual conference, pre-conference workshops are offered with a cost of at least $100 per person. Staff from a project with a paid project membership for the year may attend these workshops at no cost.

The payment for a project membership with grant funds is allowable according to OMB Circular A-21, J-33.

Current cost: $200

Project Membership Year: September 1 through August 31.

Can I get a refund on my membership if I no longer am employed by a TRIO Program in the ASPIRE region?

No. Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Can I get a refund on my membership if I no longer am employed by a TRIO Program in the ASPIRE region?

No. Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable.

What are the different types of membership?

Personal membership with ASPIRE, Inc. is available and renewable on an annual basis. The membership year for this type of membership coincides with the annual conference. The membership year always begins with the start of the annual conference, and is payable before checking in for the event.

Personal membership provides the individual with a discounted registration rate to attend state and regional conferences, and they are entered into the ASPIRE e-mail mailing list, providing them a communication source with the region as a whole.

Payments for personal membership are not allowable through grant funds, though institutions may choose to pay this fee through institutional or indirect funds.

There are multiple levels of membership for individuals based on the type of work they do, or their connection with the region.

Professional MembershipΒ is available to persons employed full-time or part-time in TRIO, GearUp, or other educational opportunity/equal access type programs located in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming. Professional membership is also available to any person that maintained ASPIRE Professional Membership for a minimum of 10 years, and is now retired from the position they held within TRIO programs during their ASPIRE membership period. Each Professional Member is entitled to one vote and is eligible to hold any office within the association.

Associate MembershipΒ is available to persons meeting either of the following two criteria: (1) employed in a clerical/support staff position within a TRIO, GearUp, or other educational opportunity/equal access type program located in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah or Wyoming; (2) persons employed full-time or part-time in TRIO, GearUp, or other educational opportunity/equal access programs locate in states which are not included in the ASPIRE, Inc. region. Each Associate Member is entitled to one vote, and may serve on committees, but may hold no office in the association or serve on the Board of Directors.

Emeritus MembershipΒ is available to any person that has maintained ASPIRE Professional membership for a minimum of 10 years, and is now retired from the position they held within TRIO programs during their ASPIRE membership period. Each Emeritus Member is entitled to one vote, and may serve on committees, but may hold no office in the association or serve on the Board of Directors.

Friends and Alumni MembershipΒ is available to any individual not employed in a TRIO, GearUp, or other educational opportunity/equal access program in the ASPIRE, Inc. region, who generally supports the mission, goals, and objectives of ASPIRE, Inc., and has an active concern for TRIO students. Each Friends and Alumni Member may have voice, but no vote, and may not hold office in the association.

TRIO Participant MembershipΒ is available to any current TRIO participant in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming not currently employed by a TRIO or GearUp program, who generally supports the purposes, goals, and objectives of ASPIRE, Inc., and has an active concern for TRIO students. Each Participant Member may have voice, but no vote, and may hold no office in the association.

What is the difference between project membership and personal membership?

A project membership is for a TRIO Program/Project, for example an institution with a Talent Search and Student Support Services would purchase two project memberships. A personal membership is for an individual, each TRIO professional in the ASPIRE region is asked to purchase a personal membership.Β Click hereΒ to purchase either one.

Who can be an ASPIRE member?

Membership is open to each TRIO, Gear Up, or other educational opportunity/equal access project in the ASPIRE, INC. states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming.

How long is my ASPIRE membership valid?

ASPIRE membership year is fromΒ September 1, through August 31 each year.

Do I need to be an ASPRIE member to register for an ASPIRE conference?

No, you can register as a β€œnon-member”.

What is TRIO?

Our nation has asserted a commitment to providing educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstance. In support of this commitment, Congress established a series of programs to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America’s economic and social life. These Programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO Programs (initially just three programs). While student financial aid programs help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, TRIO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.

As mandated by Congress, two-thirds of the students served must come from families with incomes under $28,000, where neither parent graduated from college. More than 2,700 TRIO Programs currently serve nearly 866,000 low-income Americans. Many programs serve students in grades six through 12. Thirty-seven percent of TRIO students are Whites, 35% are African-Americans, 19% are Hispanics, 4% are Native Americans, 4% are Asian-Americans, and 1% are listed as β€œOther,” including multiracial students. Twenty-two thousand students with disabilities and more than 25,000 U.S. veterans are currently enrolled in the TRIO Programs as well.

Over 1,000 colleges, universities, community colleges, and agencies now offer TRIO Programs in America. TRIO funds are distributed to institutions through competitive grants.

Students in the Upward Bound program are four times more likely to earn an undergraduate degree than those students from similar backgrounds who did not participate in TRIO; nearly 20 percent of all Black and Hispanic freshmen who entered college in 1981 received assistance through the TRIO Talent Search or EOC programs; students in the TRIO Student Support Services program are more than twice as likely to remain in college than those students from similar backgrounds who did not participate in the program.

For more information about TRiO from the Council for Opportunity in Education,Β click here.

What is COE?

The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) is a nonprofit organization, established in 1981, dedicated to furthering the expansion of college opportunities for low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico. Its membership includes more than 1,000 colleges and agencies. Through its numerous membership services, the Council works in conjunction with colleges, universities, and agencies to help low-income students enter college and graduate. Over a million low-income students and students with disabilities each year receive college access and retention services through our member colleges and agencies.

How long do board members serve on the ASPIRE Regional Board?

The President, President Elect, and Past President shall serve for one (1) year beginning at the end of the conference. The Treasurer shall serve for two (2) fiscal years and the secretary shall serve for two (2) years beginning at the conclusion of regional conference, with each office elected on alternating years. Β The State Presidents serve on the board as long as they are elected to serve for their state association.

What is the difference between ASPIRE Regional Board and State Boards?

Each state elects a State President that serves on the Regional ASPIRE Board. The make up of each state board varies from state chapter to chapter. Some boards only have a president, treasurer and secretary other boards include more members.

What is the ASPIRE Board?

The Board of Directors shall be composed of eleven members including: the officers: the President, President Elect, Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer of ASPIRE, Inc.; and other Board members, the State Presidents from Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

What is the ASPIRE Board?

The Board of Directors shall be composed of eleven members including: the officers: the President, President Elect, Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer of ASPIRE, Inc.; and other Board members, the State Presidents from Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

How did ASPIRE begin?

In Denver during the fall of 1976, personnel from the forty-eight TRiO programs in Federal Region VIII contributed $2 each toward the expenses of a committee whose purpose was to organize a professional organization. That night, a group of the faithful gathered in a hotel room to come up with a name for the new association. After numerous suggestions that produced unpronounceable acronyms, β€œAssociation of Special Programs in Region Eight β€” ASPIRE” was chosen.

TRiO was less than 10 years old, and was administered entirely through the regional offices. Project personnel had been unaware of the forces that influence funding for their programs, but slowly began to realize the need for a coordinated national effort to effect funding, to communicate about issues, and to provide training. ASPIRE was joining an emerging movement among TRIO personnel nationally.

In 1977, ASPIRE organizers disseminated β€œNews Flashes” that contained information about efforts of TRiO personnel in obtaining the FY 1977 increase and encouraged project personnel to write letters and support the effort for the increase in the FY 1978 appropriation. In addition, three proposal writing workshops were held, and ASPIRE mounted its first conference in Park City, Utah in October.

Much has transpired in the years since. The Association of Special Programs in Region Eight is now ASPIRE, Inc. It has matured into a professional organization serving over 500 staff members in 127 projects. ASPIRE continues to support its members with professional development, timely information relating to national issues, and its members advocate at the state and national levels on behalf of our programs and participants.

Who was Art Quinn (the person for which the Art Quinn Memorial Award is named?)

Art Quinn was director of Upward Bound at what was then Black Hills State College (now Black Hills State University) in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.Β  Art’s commitment to his students was without bounds; he would stop at absolutely nothing to support and advocate for them.Β  To see his students in the wide UB target area, Art cruised western South Dakota in his giant old Chrysler.Β  The Chrysler was also his office, and the back seat was crammed with files and resources.Β  Art was known first for his commitment, but also for his humor and infectious laughter.Β  He served as State President for South Dakota in the early 1980’s as ASPIRE was in its early stages of growth and development.

Art passed away while awaiting word on project funding during a grant competition.Β  He will be forever be remembered as the epitome of unlimited and heart-felt commitment to first generation and low income students, to TRIO, and to ASPIRE.