Collins, Tester, Capito, Baldwin Introduce Bill to Strengthen TRIO Programs That Assist First-Generation, Low-Income Students Seeking a College Education

Washington, D.C. — Today U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jon Tester (D-MT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Educational Opportunity and Success Act, which would reauthorize and strengthen the federal TRIO Programs. Nationwide, TRIO Programs help ensure that underserved students have equal access to a college education and the support they need to prepare for, succeed in, and graduate from higher education. 

The legislation would institute commonsense reforms to make it easier for educational institutions to reach students who would benefit from these programs. It would also prevent a recurrence of a situation in 2017 where the U.S. Department of Education rejected dozens of applications simply on the basis of non-substantive formatting criteria. One of these applications was from the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), which had used one-and-a-half spacing instead of double spacing in text appearing in graphics on two of its application’s 65 pages. Senator Collins successfully urged the Department of Education to reverse its decision a few months later, protecting funding for UMPI.

“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 Senator Collins. “I have long supported the TRIO programs and worked to ensure that they are reaching the students who most need them. These programs have changed the lives of first-generation students in Maine and across the country, opening the doors to the opportunities of higher education.  I urge our colleagues to join us in this effort to reauthorize and strengthen the federal TRIO programs.” 

“As a former public school teacher I know that education is the great equalizer in this country, especially for our kids in rural communities who too often fall through the cracks,” said Senator Tester. “Every Montanan deserves equal access to a college education, and that’s why I am reintroducing this bipartisan bill to reauthorize the TRIO program for five years and make sure the next generation of leaders has the support they need to reach their full potential.”

“TRIO Programs help provide students in West Virginia, and across the country, with the resources and knowledge they need to pursue higher education opportunities. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill, which will enable future students to take advantage of opportunities provided by TRIO. Helping our young men and women receive a high-quality education and build a lifetime of success is vital to the future of our state, and TRIO programs are so helpful in that mission,” Senator Capito said.

“If a Wisconsinite wants to go to college, they should have the opportunity to do so regardless of their income, race, zip code, or background. The TRIO Program is essential in accomplishing this goal, helping connect students who have historically been locked out of a higher education to a college degree,” said Senator Baldwin. “This legislation will strengthen this crucial program, break down barriers that prevent young people from accessing these resources, and help institutions offer this vital support to put a college education in reach for more Wisconsinites.”

“This bill will make possible needed modifications in the TRIO programs, both responses to the changing needs of today’s students and corrections to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies,” said Maureen Hoyler, The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). “We are deeply grateful for their attentiveness to the recommendations of TRIO educators.”

Specifically, the Educational Opportunity and Success Act would:

• Reauthorize funds for the TRIO Programs for the next six years.
• Establish more reasonable guidelines for notice of pending grant competitions.

The bill would require the Department of Education to increase its notification period from 45 days to 90 days to help ensure that all prospective TRIO grant applicants have an adequate opportunity to submit a successful application.

• Remove administrative burdens to ease and update the application process.

The bill would direct those applications denied in error be funded directly out of funds reserved for administrative purposes.

• Institute common-sense guidelines for TRIO applications.

The bill would make permanent a new policy that was implemented after the Department of Education attempted to reject dozens of TRIO applications in 2017 for arbitrary, non-substantive formatting criteria, such as font size and line spacing.  It would also institute a straightforward appeals process for minor errors.

• Ease administrative burdens in determining income eligibility.

The bill would allow TRIO administrators to work with colleges’ financial aid offices to more easily identify potential participants by virtue of their Pell-eligibility. Meanwhile, in middle and high schools, TRIO’s Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers programs would have the ability to serve all students at schools where more than 40 percent of attendees receive free or reduced-price lunch.

• Update TRIO eligibility criteria to reflect the most recent FAFSA requirements.

The bill would ensure that TRIO administrators do not have to consult multiple sources of data, but rather may use student’s most recently completed FAFSA to determine program eligibility.

• Require virtual training to reach more applicants.

The bill would require at least one virtual, interactive training for interested applicants, better ensuring that all areas of the country have the chance to access the TRIO programs.

• Provide greater flexibility for programs serving non-traditional students.

Recognizing that some students may not go on to higher education immediately after high school or earn a degree within 2 or 4 years, this bill would update criteria for several TRIO programs to provide greater flexibility to non-traditional students, including veterans.

• Increase student stipends, which have not been updated since 1980.

Click HERE to read the text of the Educational Opportunity and Success Act.

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