WASHINGTON, D.C. – While federal TRIO programs will play a crucial role in helping the United States meet the Obama administration’s 2020 college goal, don’t expect to see the programs funded at previously higher levels anytime soon.
That was one of the blunt messages that a senior Obama administration official delivered Wednesday at the 28th annual policy seminar of the Council for Opportunity in Education, a D.C.-based nonprofit organization that advocates for the TRIO programs. TRIO programs include a series of eight programs—such as Upward Bound and the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program—meant to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities at a variety of stages in their academic careers that range from middle school to postgraduate programs.
“We acknowledge the critical role that TRIO programs play because, if it were not for TRIO, many of our students would not see the promise of a better day,” said Debra Saunders-White, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs within the U.S. Department of Education.
However, when asked about the administration’s shift toward competitive grant funding while TRIO programs have become decimated despite what many say is their proven track record of success, Saunders-White said she didn’t expect TRIO funding to be restored to previous levels anytime soon.
“I don’t have any money in my purse today, so I can’t tell you that these resources are going to be (available),” Saunders-White said.
She added that she was “immensely encouraged” that she “didn’t see any more bleed from TRIO,” although COE (the Council for Opportunity in Education) sees the Obama administration’s pending budget request for level-funding as a cut. TRIO programs recently have endured a series of actual reductions, going from $904.27 million in fiscal 2010 to $878.94 million and $835.50 million in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Saunders-White also noted that the Obama administration requested $67 million to restore lost funding to TRIO in 2012 but that it was rejected by Congress, although some observers believe the administration knew its request was doomed and made it anyway to save face among TRIO-supporting constituents.
