In a recent blog post, Micaela Quinn, Director of Grants and Federal Affairs at McAllister & Quinn, shares key takeaways from the recent TRIO competition despite proposed elimination in the budget, as well as tips for staying competitive in the funding landscape.
Federal TRIO programs provide crucial support to low-income, first-generation, and disabled college students to aid their academic success. Despite proposed elimination in the FY26 budget, bipartisan Senate support has maintained funding, highlighting the program’s importance amid a competitive grant environment. Read on for key takeaways about the TRIO competition, as well as tips for staying competitive in today’s funding landscape.
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is one of eight federal TRIO programs and is designed to provide services for low-income college students, first-generation college students, and college students with disabilities to help them find success at the postsecondary level. SSS grant awards are up to $1.3M over 5 years and these funds provide academic support, advising, financial literacy, tutoring, mentoring, and career guidance to help these students persist to graduation.
The Trump Administration proposed to eliminate TRIO programs in its FY26 budget request to Congress in May, which concerned TRIO grant recipients and TRIO program advocates. On July 31, 2025, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill sustaining TRIO funding at $1.2 billion for FY26. This is a positive indicator of bipartisan support for TRIO programs, though the FY26 appropriations process is not yet complete.
Get the full story here: Key Takeaways from the TRIO SSS Competition and How to Stay Ahead in the Funding Landscape