TRIO Educational Funding May Be Cut, a federal program that helps underserved students access college. Since the 1960s, the federal TRIO programs have played a significant role in helping low‑income, first‑generation, and students with disabilities access higher education—the Original Intent Under Lyndon B. Johnson. When LBJ launched Upward Bound in 1964, it was part of his War on Poverty—not a race‑based initiative. His focus was: “…to strike at the causes of poverty by helping young people who had the ability but not the means to rise out of it.” The three original programs (Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services) were all focused on: Economic hardship, educational disadvantage, and Family background.
The Original Intent Under Lyndon B. Johnson
TRIO refers to a set of federally funded programs established under the Higher Education Act of 1965 that support low‑income, first‑generation, and students with disabilities in pursuing higher education. These programs provide academic support, mentoring, tutoring, and college prep services from middle school through post‑baccalaureate levels. TRIO has supported over 880,000 students annually through its network of programs, including Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services. The program’s success is undeniable. However, instead of cutting TRIO altogether, as has been proposed by the current administration, perhaps it’s time to examine how this funding can evolve to serve today’s diverse needs better.
Past Sequestration Cuts (2013)
The TRIO program experienced notable funding cuts during the 2013 federal budget sequestration, resulting in an approximately 5.1% reduction across its programs—equivalent to tens of millions of dollars in lost support. Large universities, such as UCLA and UC Berkeley, absorbed the cuts with minimal disruption, often reallocating internal resources or continuing programs without federal assistance. In contrast, local community colleges—which rely heavily on TRIO funds to serve first‑generation and low‑income students—were forced to cut tutoring hours, reduce staff, and limit student enrollment. The gap in financial resilience highlights how institutions rely heavily on this funding to maintain essential student support services.
Where Cuts Hurt the Most: Community Colleges vs. Universities
Over the years, large universities like UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and Cal Poly have been able to absorb TRIO funding cuts with minimal impact. These schools operate with massive endowments and multi‑billion‑dollar budgets. A $400,000 annual TRIO grant represents a fraction of one percent of their financial footprint. In contrast, community colleges like Glendale Community College, Pasadena City College, Pierce College, and LA Mission College rely heavily on this funding. When cuts occur, services are slashed, outreach is reduced, and students lose critical support.
Community colleges have evolved to serve a broader population at a lower cost. They offer flexible degree options, certifications, and transfer paths with significantly lower student loan debt. These institutions should not only maintain their TRIO funding but also receive additional support.
A Smarter Approach: Preserve TRIO and Expand for Trades
Rather than eliminating TRIO, what if we rebalanced it? Let well‑funded universities sustain their TRIO programs independently, and reallocate federal dollars to:
- Strengthen TRIO at community colleges
- Create a new parallel support program for trade‑focused students
With growing needs in skilled labor—such as electricians, nurses, welders, and IT technicians—a federally backed support system modeled after TRIO could open life‑changing doors for young adults who choose a career in the trades.
TRIO eligibility is based on income, parental education, and disability—not race or gender. Still, colleges often discuss equity and inclusion in a race‑centered context, and data on race is collected. Here’s a suggestion: keep the application blind. Approve applicants based strictly on need. Once awarded, recipients can fill out optional demographic surveys. This way, government agencies still collect outcome data, but decisions are rooted solely in economic and educational disadvantage—just as President Johnson envisioned.
TRIO in the Foothills: Local Success Stories
- Glendale Community College has helped over 2,000 students since joining TRIO. Many transfer to Cal State LA or CSUN.
- Pasadena City College has supported more than 2,500 students, often partnering with local high schools like Muir and Pasadena High.
- Pierce College has guided approximately 1,800 students toward AA degrees or four‑year transfers.
- LA Mission College serves a high proportion of working parents and first‑generation Latino students, with over 1,600 participants since the early 2000s.
How Students Find TRIO
TRIO outreach typically begins in middle and high school. Counselors identify potential students based on financial aid eligibility, academic performance, and family education history. The programs host workshops, college visits, and tutoring to build trust early. Once in college, students are enrolled in support cohorts, where they receive advice, tutoring, and transfer planning.
Broader Financial Sense: Addressing the Student Debt Crisis
By increasing TRIO funding to local community colleges rather than large, well‑endowed universities, we also begin to address the student loan crisis. Encouraging students to attend community college for their first two years—at significantly lower tuition—means they can complete their general education requirements debt‑free or with far less financial burden. They can then transfer to a four‑year university with more clarity, confidence, and stability. It’s a commonsense model that saves families money and keeps students on track to earn degrees without drowning in debt.
Why TRIO Doesn’t Currently Serve Trade Schools
Although TRIO supports students throughout the academic pipeline, it doesn’t currently fund trade‑based programs. That’s because TRIO was created under federal legislation that focuses on traditional higher education. To use TRIO funds for trade schools or vocational certification programs, Congress would need to amend or expand the scope of the legislation. Until then, trade students are left without the same wraparound support services that college‑bound TRIO students receive—even though many are just as in need.
Conclusion: Don’t Cut—Reimagine TRIO
It’s helped students from every background build futures beyond what their families could afford. But the system can—and should—grow with the times. Let’s maintain the heart of TRIO in community colleges, reduce redundancy at major universities, and create a new track for vocational students who seek a different path to stability. That’s not cutting opportunity. That’s multiplying it.
What are your thoughts about TRIO Educational Funding? — Robbyn Battles | The House Agent