The landscape for federal TRIO programs has shifted dramatically since we talked about it in January. The Department of Education (ED) has issued new grant proposals that would cut the number of programs by more than half and fundamentally redirect TRIO away from its mission of college access.
We welcomed back Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education, to walk us through what's at stake for these programs and the students they serve. The hosts also give the latest updates on ED's negotiated rulemaking.
Links:
U.S. Department of Education Issues Proposed Rule to Hold Colleges and Universities Accountable for Low Earning Outcomes
https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-proposed-rule-hold-colleges-and-universities-accountable-low-earning-outcomes
ED Pushes Ahead on Accreditation Overhaul Despite Negotiator Pushback
https://www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pages/ED-Pushes-Ahead-on-Accreditation-Overhaul.aspx
Accreditation discussion draft
https://www.ed.gov/media/document/2026-negotiated-rulemaking-aim-aim-draft-regulations-version-11-updated-04172026-113722.pdf
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Foreign Gifts and Contracts Disclosures
Federal Register | April 15, 2026
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/15/2026-07304/agency-information-collection-activities-comment-request-foreign-gifts-and-contracts-disclosures
What drove Hampshire College to shutter, despite raising $55 million
The Christian Science Monitor | April 18, 2026
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2026/0418/hampshire-college-closure-endowment
Council for Opportunity in Education and TRIO Programs
https://coenet.org/coe-and-trio-programs/
COE Trio Advocacy
https://coenet.org/take-action-now/
The Council for Opportunity in Education Condemns Latest TRIO Grant Proposal, Calls It "Direct Assault on College Access"
https://coenet.org/news-impact/press-release/the-council-for-opportunity-in-education-condemns-latest-trio-grant-proposal-calls-it-direct-assault-on-college-access/
COE Blasts Latest Federal Proposal for TRIO, Calls for Immediate Rescission
https://coenet.org/news-impact/press-release/coe-blasts-latest-federal-proposal-for-trio-calls-for-immediate-rescission/
COE Rejects Proposal to Eliminate Federal TRIO Programs in FY 2027 Budget
Council for Opportunity in Education | https://coenet.org/news-impact/press-release/coe-rejects-proposal-to-eliminate-federal-trio-programs-in-fy-2027-budget/
