In case anyone is not yet on the COE listserv, TRIO got a 3.7% increase.
While this is a win, not as much as we were hoping for.

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From: COE <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, Mar 9, 2022 at 2:11 PM
Subject: Bipartisan Funding Deal Includes $40 Million Increase for Federal
TRIO Programs
To: <[log in to unmask]>


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*A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT*

Congress has announced a bipartisan funding deal with a $40 million (3.7%)
increase for TRIO for Fiscal Year 2022 (Program Year 2022-23).



The FY22 TRIO increase will fund additional grants in the pending
competitions for *Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Veterans Upward
Bound, *and *Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement*. The
agreement also directs the Department of Education to provide increases to
current *Student Support Services, Talent Search, *and *Educational
Opportunity Centers*, while also giving the Department the option (but not
a requirement) to fund additional high-scoring unfunded applicants in the
FY20 and FY21 competitions.



While the 3.8% increase for TRIO is a step in the right direction, it is,
nonetheless, a disappointment. However, it is reflective of overall
spending on education.



In spring 2021, *President Biden* proposed and the House of Representatives
subsequently passed legislation providing a 41% increase for the entire *U.S.
Department of Education*, which included a historic $200.8 million increase
for TRIO. Today's final bipartisan funding agreement included only a 3.8%
increase for the entire Department of Education. Besides the $40 million
(or 3.7%) increase to TRIO, the FY22 spending bill also includes:

   - A 2.7% increase for *GEAR UP *($10 million increase for $378 million
   in funding).
   - A 1.7% increase each for *Federal Work-Study* ($20 million increase
   for $1.21 billion total) and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
   ($15 million increase for $895 billion total).
   - A 6.2% increase to the maximum *Pell grant award*, increasing by $400
   to $6,895. This was the largest Pell increase in more than a decade.
   Unfortunately, this Pell increase was paid for by cutting $550 million from
   the Pell Grant Trust Fund and moving $57 million from mandatory (automatic)
   Pell funding. The agreement included flat funding (a 0% increase) for Pell
   Grants in regular FY22 annual discretionary funding; and
   - A 12.2% funding increase overall ($96 million) in aid for
   institutional development for *Minority Serving Institutions*.

The regular FY22 spending package also includes significant new funding for
Ukraine military and humanitarian assistance plus additional COVID-19
emergency relief.



There is still time to register for COE's Policy Seminar, *March 20-23* in
Washington D.C. (or online), to ensure TRIO continues to have a seat at the
table. Through the *Power of Persistence*, we will continue to fight for
our students and continue our progress to strengthen TRIO in FY23 and
beyond. This year's speakers will include *U.S. Secretary of Education
Miguel Cardona, TRIO Caucus Co-Chair Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), and U.S.
Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH)*, along with panels of experts to help prepare
TRIO educators to advocate in Congress. Learn more and register here
<https://t.congressweb.com/l/?LFZWVADQIILDFYU>.



Like you, we are deeply disappointed, but thank you for your continued
advocacy on behalf of TRIO students and programs.



Sincerely,
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*Maureen Hoyler*

President

Council for Opportunity in Education
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-- 
Samantha Prosser
TRIO Upward Bound Coordinator
Maine Educational Opportunity Association (MEEOA) President

University of Southern Maine
37 College Ave
Gorham, ME 04038
Phone: 207-780-5828
Fax: 207-228-8259
Website: https://usm.maine.edu/upward-bound-veterans-high-school-students

https://www.meeoa.org/

Pronouns: she, her, hers
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