Today, President Biden released his FY25 budget request to Congress. Due to the budget limits outlined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act (the debt limit deal), the Administration requested minimal increases across the government.
However, among several requests for flat or even decreased funding in the education arena, we are pleased to see that the President’s budget includes an increase of $20 million for the Federal TRIO Programs in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), which would fund TRIO during Program Year 2025-2026.
More specifically, the Administration’s request calls for a $15 million increase in the Student Support Services program and $5 million to “support national activities that include technical assistance, national outreach, and information dissemination.” (COE is working with the Administration to gain additional insight into this latter portion of the request and will share details with the community as soon as they become available.) Further, concerning TRIO, in its budget justification to Congress, the Administration urges Congress to adjust the definition of “low-income” to include students receiving Pell Grants in Student Support Services and McNair and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Children’s Health Insurance Program in Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Educational Opportunity Centers. The Administration also urges Congress to consider increasing the stipends offered in Upward Bound and McNair. (It is important to note that only Congress can implement these proposed changes by amending the current statute. However, including these requests by the Administration can help advance such proposals on Capitol Hill.)
In addition to its proposed increase for TRIO, the Administration also requested a $10 million increase for GEAR UP and a $750 increase in the maximum Pell Grant for a potential award of up to $8,145. Both Federal Work-Study and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants received level funding. (Read a complete copy of the Administration’s budget request for the U.S. Department of Education here.)
While our community is grateful for the proposed increase by the Administration, we recognize that the needs of our community call for an even more excellent federal investment. Therefore, during COE’s upcoming Policy Seminar and throughout the FY25 appropriations season, our community will advocate for an increase of $68 million for TRIO in FY25. This ask includes the $20 million proposal by the U.S. Department of Education, which would support 55 new TRIO Student Support Services grants in the pending competition. The remaining $48 million of our requested increase would allow for a 4% across-the-board increase to all current grantees to address inflation. Everyone feels the effects of higher costs, and our TRIO programs are no exception. Our advocacy efforts will push for increased funding to ensure our practitioners continue providing high-quality services in this more costly environment.
We are fully prepared to fight for this $68 million increase for TRIO. It is a necessary investment in our future.
We look forward to seeing you next week in Washington, D.C., for our Policy Seminar and working with you throughout the year to increase the federal investment in our nation’s first-generation, low-income students.
Get in Touch
Questions? Contact COE Vice President for Public Policy Diane Shust.
Diane Shust
Vice President, Public Policy [email protected]
Owen Toomey
Director, Congressional Affairs [email protected]