U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently led a bipartisan group of 55 senators in calling on U.S. Senate appropriators to fully fund Federal TRIO Programs in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill.
TRIO programs support equal access to a college education for underserved students, which include students who are low-income, first-generation students, students with disabilities, homeless youths, students in or exiting foster care, military veterans, English learners, unemployed adults, and students in rural communities.
“Congress created the TRIO Programs because it recognized that low-income, first-generation students often face significant financial and societal obstacles to accessing and achieving success in higher education,” said Sen. Collins, who co-chairs the Congressional TRIO Caucus. “Without TRIO’s individualized counseling, advising and support, many of these students may lose opportunities for a better life.”
Nationally, there are more than 3,100 TRIO programs serving more than 800,000 students. In Sen. Collins’ home state of Maine, 30 TRIO programs serve almost 7,600 students statewide.
“When we lend a hand to those who have the motivation to pursue higher education but lack the means, they give back to their communities,” Sen. Collins said. “As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I am proud to be an advocate for these important and often life-changing programs.”
In a May 25 letter to Senate appropriators, Sen. Collins and her colleagues reiterated that support and noted that as the FY 2023 appropriations bill is prepared, lawmakers should prioritize the academic, financial and social supports provided by TRIO.
“The COVID-19 crisis has negatively impacted every stage of our education system, thus making the need for targeted investments in TRIO all the more urgent,” the lawmakers wrote. “As TRIO programs seek to address [such] challenges, we urge the committee to continue to prioritize TRIO funding to help ensure students are prepared for, persist in, and graduate from college.”
And given the programs’ proven success and the need to address higher education access, affordability, and completion, Sen. Collins and her colleagues requested “robust funding” for TRIO in FY 2023.
Among the 55 lawmakers who joined Sen. Collins in signing the letter were U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Jon Tester (D-MT).