Prepare for College

College should be accessible for anyone who is willing to learn and better themselves. That’s why NC State has dedicated pathways programs that help you get to college.

Here are some of our programs that can help you take the next steps in your education:

TRIO Programs

While traditional financial aid programs help students overcome financial barriers to accessing higher education, TRIO is designed specifically to help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers. TRIO is federally funded, and at NC State, is composed of Student Support Services and SSS-STEM, Talent Search, Upward Bound and the Ronald M. McNair Scholars program. Two programs, Talent Search and Upward Bound, are dedicated to helping high school students navigate their way to college.

TRIO Talent Search

Talent Search serves sixth through 12th graders. In addition to counseling, students and their families are provided with assistance in choosing a college, applying for college and applying for financial aid. Talent Search helps young people better understand their educational opportunities and options.

See how Talent Search benefits you

TRIO Upward Bound

Upward Bound provides students in five area high schools with academic and life skills through an array of free program services, including academic skills development, college application and enrollment assistance, cultural enrichment and more.

Learn about Upward Bound

A large group of students in teal and yellow shirts raising their hands

Juntos

Juntos means “together” in Spanish, and the program works to unite community partners to provide students and their families with knowledge, skills and resources to help them stay in school and gain access to post-secondary opportunities. The Juntos program works to reduce the risk of high school dropout by bringing together county cohorts of 8th-12th grade youth to support each other as they excel in middle and high school and prepare for post-secondary opportunities, whether that be workforce or higher education.

Advise NC at NC State

Advise NC at NC State assists students in rural, high-need North Carolina schools as they navigate exploring and pursuing postsecondary opportunities. Next Step Advisers work with students to help them realize their potential and guide them to the path that best fits their needs and interests.