Washington TRiO Works!

Dear Legislator,

Our nation has asserted a commitment to providing educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstance. In support of this commitment, through the Higher Education Act of 1965, Congress established a series of programs called TRiO to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America’s economic and social life.

As mandated by Congress, two-thirds of the students served must come from low-income backgrounds where neither parent graduated from college. The Higher Education Act of 2008 broadened the definition of who is eligible for TRiO services to include: homeless youth, those in foster care, English as a Second Language learners, students with disabilities, and other disconnected students. More than 2,800 TRiO Programs currently serve nearly one million low-income Americans.

The current administration has committed to have the highest proportion of students graduating from college in the world by 2020. Part of that effort includes offering additional financial aid through programs like the Pell Grant. While student financial aid programs help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, TRiO programs provide the mentoring/advising support needed to help students overcome academic, class, social and cultural barriers to higher education. TRiO services ensure that educational opportunity and the American Dream remain available for all students in an increasingly competitive global economy and world.

In Washington State, 62 TRiO programs bring in over $18 million in federal funding and serve over 15,000 students per year. We want you to help Washington TRiO programs to continue to be funded so that they can serve our students and improve the economic and cultural landscape of our state.

Sincerely,

Washington State TRiO Supporters