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The Council for Opportunity in Education Applauds 21 States and the District of Columbia for Defending TRIO Students in Federal Case Against the U.S. Department of Education

October 28, 2025 — by Terrance L. Hamm

Twenty-one states and D.C.—led by Nevada and Massachusetts—filed an amicus brief supporting COE’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, arguing that the abrupt loss of TRIO programs threatens students’ futures, state economies, and the nation’s educated workforce.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) today commended 21 states and D.C.—led by Nevada and Massachusetts—for filing an amicus curiae brief supporting COE’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education. The brief, submitted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, underscores the national importance of TRIO programs in sustaining an educated workforce and advancing economic growth.

In their filing, the states argue that the abrupt cancellation of more than 100 TRIO grants this year threatens to undermine decades of progress in college access and completion—jeopardizing both students’ futures and states’ long-term economic vitality. The brief includes several central arguments to support these points. Specifically, the brief argues that:

  1. States rely on an educated workforce to sustain economic growth.
  2. TRIO programs serve the public interest by preparing students for high-need careers.
  3. The loss of these programs harms the public interest by eliminating a proven pathway for building state workforces.

“This extraordinary show of support from nearly two dozen states and Washington, D.C. sends a powerful message: the education of low-income and first-generation students is a matter of national strength and shared prosperity,” said COE President Kimberly Jones. “TRIO programs are transforming lives, fueling state economies, strengthening workforces, and creating ladders of opportunity that benefit us all.”

The brief emphasizes that the termination of decades-old TRIO programs has immediate and lasting consequences, particularly in critical fields such as education and healthcare, where states already face acute workforce shortages. The brief goes on to state that the loss of TRIO programs will result in “thousands – perhaps hundreds of thousands – fewer graduates to fuel state economies and address ongoing worker shortages.” This, in turn, weakens local economies and reduces tax revenues needed for essential public services.

“As a TRIO alumnus and former TRIO practitioner, I know firsthand the power of these programs,” said COE Executive Vice President Aaron Brown. “Attorney General Aaron Ford’s leadership in this action, drawing from his own experience as an Upward Bound participant at Southern Methodist University, symbolizes what TRIO makes possible. When we invest in students, we invest in the very future of our states.”

In addition to the District of Columbia, the 21 amici states are: Nevada, Massachusetts, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

COE’s lawsuit seeks to reverse the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to terminate TRIO programs nationwide. This action has left over 43,000 students without critical college access and support services. To learn more about the Federal TRIO Programs, visit coenet.org.

Media Inquiries

For media inquiries or to arrange an interview, please contact Terrance L. Hamm, vice president for communications and marketing at COE via email at [email protected] or call (202) 347-7430.

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