Good morning TRIO Maine! I have some good news to share from COE regarding TRIO funding. Happy Holidays! Subject: FY23 Omnibus Alert [Alternate text]<https://t.congressweb.com/l/?NPJVOIHPMJGMQCL> TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 Dear Colleagues: Congress has announced a bipartisan funding deal that includes a $54 million (4.7%) increase for TRIO for Fiscal Year 2023 (Program Year 2023-24). We are very pleased that the agreement directs the Department of Education "to provide increases to current TRIO grantees demonstrating substantial progress in meeting performance objectives and, to the extent practicable, to fund down the slates of unfunded, high-quality applications from prior-year competitions." The increase for TRIO is higher as a percentage compared to the topline (4%) increase for the Department of Education. In addition to the $54 million (4.7%) increase for TRIO, the FY23 spending bill also includes: * 13.6% funding increase overall ($137 million) in aid for institutional development and to assist Historically Black College and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. * 2.6% increase for GEAR UP ($10 million increase for $388 million in funding). * 1.6% increase each for Federal Work-Study ($20 million increase for $1.2 billion total). * 1.7% Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants ($15 million increase for $910 million total). * 6.7% increase to the maximum Pell grant award (increasing by $500 to a maximum of $7,395). The regular FY23 spending package also includes significant new funding for non-LHHS programs including: * Disaster spending including $1 billion for Puerto Rico's electric grid and $600 million for the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi. This increase would not have happened if not for the robust advocacy of our entire community. Be sure to register for COE's Policy Seminar, March 19-22, 2023 in Washington D.C., to ensure TRIO continues to have a seat at the table. By Marching Towards One Million, we will continue to fight for our students and continue our progress to strengthen TRIO in FY24 and beyond. Learn more and register here<https://t.congressweb.com/l/?NPJVOIHPMJCCROZ>. Thank you for your continued advocacy on behalf of TRIO students and programs. Sincerely, Maureen Hoyler President Council for Opportunity in Education Terry T. Charlton, M.Ed TRIO Student Support Services Director Maine Educational Opportunity Association (MEEOA) President Central Maine Community College 1250 Turner Street Auburn, Maine 04210 Tel: (207) 755-5238<https:[log in to unmask]> “ Access without support is not opportunity” – Vincent Tinto Website: Maine Educational Opportunity Association (meeoa.org)<https://www.meeoa.org/> [meeoa logo] Pronouns: She, her, hers