Abstract: The federal government of the United States has set up college access and success programs represented by the “TRIO” programs,which can be regarded as a response to the barriers of insufficient cultural capital and social capital in their pursuit of a college degree for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.As the initial sub-programs of the system,“Upward Bound”,“Talent Search” and “Student Support Services” mainly play their roles by providing academic tutoring,assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations,information on student financial aid programs and scholarships,assistance in completing financial aid applications and providing opportunities to participate in various cultural activities.Studies have shown that “TRIO” programs effectively improve the enrollment rate,retention rate and graduation rate of students.In order to further promote the equity of higher education in China,drawing on the experience of the United States,we should pay more attention to the non-economic support to the first-generation college students,prepose the intervention time and maintain the continuity,and pay attention to the leading role of the universities and colleges in this process.

Key words: America, first generation college student, “TRIO” programs, social capital, cultural capital