population were college graduates and by 2000 this had increased to 24%. Theproportionwho, upon graduation, would be the first in their family to get a college degree declined from 65% in 1987 to 62%in 2000. Thus, it appears thathighschool graduates from low-income families and those that lack a parent with a college degree are less likely thanothergraduates to move on to college. College Enrollment in the Fall of 2000 Among Spring 2000 High School Graduates by Parent's Educational Attainment and Family Income Status 
Source: Current Population Survey. These results have particularly important implications for the TRIO programs since the legislation stipulates that not lessthan two-thirds of program participants be both low-income and first generation students.
The Higher Education Act (HEA) supports several programs that provideservices and incentives to disadvantaged students to help increase their educational attainment. Foremost amongtheseprograms are the federal TRIO programs and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for UndergraduateProgram(Gear Up). These programs are primarily intended for individuals who are from low-income families and wouldbe thefirst in their family to attain a college degree. This report reviews available data on these populations and attemptstomeasure the extent to which high school graduates from these groups go on to college. This report is intended asasupplement to CRS Report RL31622, TRIO and Gear Up Programs: Status and Issues, and will notbe updated.