Protect TRIO. Protect Opportunity. Act Now.
The future of the Federal TRIO Programs is at risk.
The future of the Federal TRIO Programs is at risk. Recent proposals from the U.S. Department of Education would fundamentally change TRIO—shifting it away from its core mission of college access for low-income and first-generation students and toward a workforce pipeline model. This is not a minor adjustment. It is a direct threat to the students and communities TRIO was created to serve. Your voice is critical—and it must be heard now.
If these changes move forward:
- Hundreds of TRIO programs could lose funding
- Entire regions could lose access to TRIO services
- Thousands of students could lose life-changing support
TRIO has opened doors to higher education for generations. We cannot allow those doors to close.
Take Action in 4 Steps
Your TRIO Story Changed Your Life. Now It Can Protect It.
You are living proof of what TRIO makes possible.
Because of TRIO:
- You made it to college
- You persisted
- You built a future that once felt out of reach
Now, that pathway is under threat.
A new federal proposal would transform TRIO from a college access program into a workforce pipeline, fundamentally changing its purpose—and limiting opportunity for the next generation.
This is your moment to speak up.
Take Action in 5 Steps
Current Actions
Demand the TRIO RFPs be rescinded, revised and changed.
TRIO Advocacy
Show Congress that TRIO changes lives—and that cutting TRIO is not an option.
Contact Congress Now
Calling all alumni to fight for more funding for TRIO—your voice is essential.
Alumni AdvocacyTAKE ACTION NOW
President Trump’s budget slashes over $163 billion from non-defense federal programs, decimating support for those most in need.
President Trump’s newly released 2026 budget proposes the complete elimination of the Federal TRIO Programs, which have helped millions of low-income, first-generation students – including veterans, adult learners, and students with disabilities – succeed in higher education for over 60 years. The Trump Administration’s budget proposal claims that “access to college is not the obstacle it was for students of limited means.” However, data from the U.S. Census Bureau demonstrate that students from the poorest families earn college degrees at rates far below students from the highest income families. As recently as 2023, students from the highest income quartile earned college degrees at a rate more than four times that of students from the lowest income quartile (62% vs. 15%).
We ask you to contact both your Senators and your House Representative and urge them to protect TRIO from funding cuts and possibly even increase TRIO funding so that today’s low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities will have access to higher education.
TRIO Students: Speak Out Now to Protect Your Program
Right now, your TRIO program—and the support it provides—is at risk.
Across the country, TRIO students like you may lose access to the academic advising, tutoring, career guidance, and personal support that make success possible for so many first-generation and low-income students. That’s why your voice is critical. We need Congress to understand exactly what’s at stake—and that starts with YOU. This takes less than two minutes. Just enter your home address, and a message will go directly to your U.S. Representative and Senators. You can also personalize it to share what TRIO means to you, how it’s helped you, and what could happen without it. TRIO works because students like you work hard every day to overcome barriers. But you shouldn’t have to do it alone—and you shouldn’t have to fight for your future without support. Congress needs to hear from you. Help us make sure TRIO continues to be there for the next student who needs it—just like it was there for you. Once you send your message, share the link with your classmates and friends. The more students speak up, the louder we are—and the harder we are to ignore. Thank you for being a part of TRIO—and for standing up for what it stands for.
TRIO Is on the Line — Raise Your Voice Today!
Without immediate action, your child—and thousands of students across the country—may lose access to critical academic and college readiness opportunities.
We need your voice to help make sure that doesn’t happen. Please take one minute right now to contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and urge them to protect TRIO funding immediately. All you need to do is enter your home address, and a pre-written message will be sent directly to your members of Congress. You can also customize it to tell your story and share what TRIO means to your family. Your voice matters. Members of Congress need to hear from real families who rely on TRIO—families like yours. After you send your message, please share this link with your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and community groups. The more voices they hear, the stronger our message will be. Thank you for standing up for your child and for the life-changing impact of TRIO.
Alumni Advocacy Matters
Calling all alumni to fight for more funding for TRIO!
President Trump’s budget proposal threatens to eliminate the Federal TRIO Programs—programs that changed your life and continue to transform futures for nearly 870,000 students each year. This is our moment to fight back. We’ve outlined five simple but powerful actions you can take—sign, call, write, post, and share—to help protect TRIO in the FY26 budget. Each one only takes a few minutes, but together they send a message Congress can’t ignore. TRIO helped you get to college. Now help us make sure it’s there for the next generation.
In-Person Meeting Request
Enter your contact information and fill in the blanks for the sample invitation letter drafted at the link below.
Invite your Member of Congress to visit your TRIO program! Each month, Members of Congress travel between Washington, DC, and their home States and Districts to connect with local constituents. COE challenges all TRIO community members to host many local visits with your Representatives and Senators between now and the end of the appropriations cycle later this fall. While Members of Congress are traveling, it is an opportune time to demonstrate that TRIO works!
Support Us
If you are a student support services professional, thank you. You are an unsung hero for all the good that you do, and surely you know by now that COE has your back.
Partner
Through strategic collaborations, we work to strengthen quality, opportunity and access to education for all American students — the next generation of global leaders.
Join Us
Join more than 1,000 colleges and community agencies committed to postsecondary opportunity for low-income, first-generation students, students with disabilities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico!