A message from the president
As you are well aware, the Department of Education has yet to release the results of the FY 2020 Student Support Services grant competition, even though current awards expire in less than 30 days. We at the Council share your frustration and outrage at this delay in notification as we recognize the extreme hardship that it represents to your students and program operations. Our government relations team is maintaining continuous contact with legislators regarding this issue. Later this week, I will be meeting with senior officials at the Department of Education to press for release of the results.
However, given the enormous number of tasks facing the Office of Postsecondary Education, particularly as it administers the grants under the CARES Act and addresses other challenges with the pending fall semester, it is clear that the agency will only be compelled to move in response to strong pressure from our entire community.
Therefore, as we at the Council, continue to apply pressure here in Washington, D.C., I recommend that SSS applicants take the following steps:
If you have any concerns or require assistance in contacting your congressional staff, please contact Jonathan Elkin at [log in to unmask]" href="mailto:[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">[log in to unmask] or Stephanie Salvador at [log in to unmask]" href="mailto:[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">[log in to unmask].
Coronavirus Relief for TRIO Hangs in the Balance
Last week, Senate Republicans introduced the HEALS Act, which includes $105 billion in COVID-19 emergency education funding, but does not include specific funding for TRIO. This is in contrast to the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act (CCCERA) introduced by Senate Democrats, that includes $450 million in proposed funding to support TRIO students. The Senate is still negotiating a final relief package. Act now to ensure that TRIO's COVID request is included in the final bill! Click here to ask your Senators to support our request. Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee's bill included a $10 million increase for TRIO, for a total proposed funding level of $1.1 billion in FY21. However, the Senate has not taken action yet on FY21 appropriations.
As a reminder, COE is challenging the TRIO community to host as many local or virtual visits with Representatives and Senators as possible between now and Labor Day. You can feature your students and alumni, and host virtual visits. To help you achieve this goal, we have released the 2020 Congressional Summer Recess Packet with tips, sample invitations, and highlights from recent TRIO virtual visit.
[log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]" href="mailto:[log in to unmask];[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">Contact the government relations team at COE if you have any questions.
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