KU News Release

KU to honor its programs that help low-income and minority students

LAWRENCE — In honor of National TRIO Day, the University of Kansas will celebrate the success of its Educational Opportunity Programs with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in the rotunda of Strong Hall.

The event is free and open to the public. Cake and punch will be served.

KU’s Educational Opportunity Programs aim to increase the number of underrepresented students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The programs provide academic instruction, advising, tutoring and financial aid assistance to KU students, youth and their families, and adults. Those who live in the Lawrence, Topeka and Kansas City areas are eligible for these free services.

In the 2006-07 academic year, KU’s Educational Opportunity Programs served more than 2,800 people. Nearly 2,500 were either low-income individuals or will be the first in their families to earn bachelor’s degrees. The programs also provided more than 7,600 hours of free tutoring in subjects ranging from middle school math to college-level psychological statistics and more than 700 hours of free test-taking workshops. Workshop topics included general test-taking strategies and ACT, SAT and GRE test preparation.

Available at KU are seven U.S. Department of Education TRIO programs: Educational Opportunity Center, Educational Talent Search, McNair Scholars Program, Math and Science Center, Supportive Educational Services, Upward Bound and Veteran’s Upward Bound; four GEAR UP programs; and one state-funded Kansas Migrant Leadership Academy.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.