WASHINGTON, DC – As Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation continues working to make college more affordable and protect Pell grants from budget cuts, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today announced $1.5 million in federal funding to support existing college success and completion programs at Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Rhode Island College (RIC) through the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program.  For fiscal year 2025, CCRI will receive $949,145 and RIC will receive $544,728 in TRIO funding.

TRIO is a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Education.  TRIO represents the largest federal investment aimed at assisting low-income or first-generation college students or individuals with disabilities to successfully advance through the academic pipeline and navigate academic and financial barriers.

First-generation college students, those who meet low-income qualifications, or those with a disability are eligible to apply for TRIO.  In order to help these students navigate college life, the SSS program offers specialized tutoring, along with workshops on issues like financial literacy, leadership development, and finding a career path.  The federal program is designed to increase graduation rates and help students transfer from two-year to four-year colleges.

Last year, Congress appropriated $1.2 billion for the program.  This year, the Trump Administration is seeking to eliminate federal funding for TRIO programs.

“TRIO helps students not only get on the college track, but succeed once they are on campus.  It helps them acclimate to college life and prepares them to overcome key higher education hurdles.  Through skills workshops, summer learning, and other support services, this program can be a real lifeline for first-generation college students.  It teaches them things like time management, good study habits, and helps set them up for success in the college classroom and beyond.  I am proud of the work CCRI and RIC are doing and will continue working to ensure more deserving students have the opportunity to attend college and the resources to afford it,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, who got into a notable back and forth with Education Secretary Linda McMahon over TRIO funding at a recent hearing.  Reed had to set the record straight and disabuse the Secretary of Education of the incorrect notion that the federal government has spent over $1 trillion on TRIO programs.

“TRIO programs have opened the door to higher education for many first-generation college students and students facing other obstacles,” said Whitehouse.  “This federal funding will support the outstanding work CCRI and RIC do to bring higher education within reach for more Rhode Islanders.”

“Every student deserves a fair shot at college success, and the TRIO Student Support Services program provided at CCRI and RIC help make that possible by providing the mentorship, tools, and support students need to thrive,” said Magaziner. “I will keep fighting to protect federal education funding and expand programs like TRIO that open the doors of opportunity for more Rhode Islanders and strengthen the state’s workforce.”

“Every student deserves the tools to reach their full potential. Today's federal TRIO grant brings $1.5 million to support first-generation and low-income students at the Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College," said Congressman Gabe Amo. "But let’s be clear, Trump’s budget proposal to eliminate TRIO funding is a direct threat to these students and the progress we’ve made. I’m fighting in Congress to protect these programs, defend educational opportunity, and ensure that Rhode Islanders aren’t left behind.”

CCRI’s successful TRIO SSS program, known as “Access to Opportunity,” was first launched in 1980 and serves approximately 440 CCRI students annually.  Previous graduates have gone on to a variety of careers, including some current full-time and adjunct faculty and staff at CCRI.

Rhode Island College offers its TRIO programs through the Center for Scholar Development.  These programs are designed to provide educational pathways in an affirming environment for first-generation scholars.