News & Impact/Advocacy Update/

COE President Jones Presses Education Secretary McMahon on 2025-2026 GANs and Grant Cancellations

August 1, 2025 — by Kimberly Jones

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Today, I sent this letter to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, urging the Department of Education to immediately release the $1.19 billion in FY 2025 TRIO funds appropriated by Congress, including funds for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement program.

In the letter, I expressed our community’s concerns about the Department’s failure to issue grant award notifications (GANs) on time and its sudden cancellation of TRIO grants. These actions have already forced many institutions to scale back or even halt services, while TRIO staff are experiencing layoffs and being put on furlough. I also stressed that ongoing litigation around McNair does not excuse the Department from carrying out its statutory obligation to deliver these funds.

Over the last 72 hours, we have seen additional grant cancellations across TRIO programs, including McNair. While no cancellation is cause for celebration, the action on McNair does suggest that the Department is responding to the immense pressure put forward by our community and our supporters in Congress.

Additionally, moments ago, we received word from at least one Upward Bound project that it received its Grant Award Notification for the 2025-2026 program year. This leads us to anticipate additional GANs being released shortly. (Upon receipt, COE encourages all community members to carefully read their entire GAN, particularly Block 10, to clearly understand this year’s expectations. If you have any questions about your GAN, please contact Jen Rudolph at [email protected]).

We know that this has been an extraordinarily challenging time for the entire TRIO community, but we can’t give up now.

We have only 13 days left in the fiscal year. Every call, email, and conversation with Members of Congress continues to matter. The advocacy of TRIO professionals, alumni, and students is paying off, and we must maintain momentum. COE will continue to keep you apprised of any developments as they happen.

TRIO advocates, keep up the pressure.

Keep making phone calls. Keep sending emails. Keep telling your stories. We will not cease until every dollar of FY 2025 TRIO funds is released and every program is fully funded for 2025-2026.

Together, we will prevail.

Get in Touch

Questions? Contact COE Vice President for Public Policy Diane Shust.

Diane Shust

Vice President, Public Policy [email protected]

Vacant

Director, Congressional Affairs

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