November 14, 2016
Now that the 2016 elections are over, Members of Congress will return to Washington, D.C., to complete its legislative business for the year. This includes determining the final funding levels for TRIO as well as all other government programs, which are currently frozen under a continuing resolution ("CR") through December 9.
Currently, TRIO stands to receive an increase of anywhere from $0 (as recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee) or $60 million (as recommended by the House Appropriations Committee). Ultimately, the final funding increase will determine the number and amount of grants awarded in the upcoming competitions for Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Veterans Upward Bound, and McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement. It will also determine whether there is any increase in the continuation grants for Student Support Services, Talent Search, and Educational Opportunity Centers.
Just how much of an increase we receive is up to you! What should you do next?
Finally, as we begin to prepare for the next Administration and the beginning of the 115th Session of Congress in January, COE recommends that all advocates for first-generation, low-income students make plans to attend COE's 2017 Policy Seminar, "Now More Than Ever." This event will take place Sunday, March 19 through Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Online registration will be available via the COE website on Tuesday, November 15. As the conference theme suggests, your voice must be heard now more than ever.