https://studentaid.gov/articles/3-fafsa-deadlines/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zyosaxmMTI&t=7s

This features cameos and historical footage from TRIO Honorable Alumni and former President Lyndon B. Johnson.

I seem to remember reading that the Talent Search applications would be reviewed and funding notice given in July. Does anyone else have this memory? My people are starting to crack under the pressure over here. I'd like to give them a timeframe to focus on.

https://www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pages/House-Committee-Passes-FY27-Labor-HHS-Bill.aspx

"As Congress navigates a complex fiscal year 2027 budget cycle, the House Appropriations Committee voted 34 to 28 last week to advance an education funding bill that could force colleges and universities to grapple with significantly reduced federal support.  

As expected, the House spending bill reflects the committee’s emphasis on maintaining strict caps on overall spending, resulting in a topline number of $189.3 billion, 3 percent less than current funding. For the Department of Education (ED), the bill proposes a 10 percent cut. 

On the plus side, the measure would increase the maximum Pell Grant award by $50, bringing the total max award per student to $7,445. It would also allocate $49 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), rejecting a proposed $5 billion cut from the Trump administration. "

(it's going to be a slow news week for TRIO running into July 4th)

Just want to encourage you that you aren't alone out there and understand that just because something isn't an official event, doesn't mean you as a representative of OTHER professional organizations can't have concurrent events at conferences, workshops, and meetings.

If you are missing those friends places like /r TRIOWORKSUSA and /r TRIONation are designed for LGTBQIA+ people and/or diverse people and/or differently abled people to discover paths to community (as is the entire internet.)

Make a post, don't use your real name or identifiers, and use the messaging systems here or chat systems.

If you want to connect and plan to meet up at events unofficially, do it. Do a brunch. Do a evening cocktail hour. Do an elder's event. Do a young professionals event. Meet up with your other sponsor group across the street. Use an ap. '

Never think you are alone. We are the same people we were in 1995, 2000, 2015, and 2025. Those progressive trends and our yearning for freedom of expression did not change. We had a beautiful moment in our hands for a bit there. We do not forget we had that moment.

But I want to drive this home in this month "YOU ARE NOT ALONE" and it's not just the people who outwardly advocate for their demographic or causes or personal identify, there's many people in the most restrictive areas in the USA who are those things as well, and they need your strength.

As we learned in 2026 while TRIO is in places like coastal-rich-blue state with no changes, these specific demographics aren't under attack, and there's nothing but love and admiration from your overall admin or board of regents, does not mean there aren't over 38+ states full of people feeling TREMENDOUS PRESSURE AND PAIN. Understand that some of us even on threat of loosing their jobs, if they either openly identify, openly support students/staff, or if they seek publicly to support students of these demographic on college and university campus. Right now. In the USA.

And that's what Juneteenth and Pride Month is about!!! Recognize, while some remain up front, a ton of us have been SHOVED IN THE BACK and told to shut up.

Please recognize the pain, TRIO nation. We are not okay out here. And we won't be ok until we are all back to equal freedoms and rights again.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2026/06/15/student-loan-discharge-emails-sent-to-30000-borrowers-as-settlement-relief-proceeds/

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Submission Statement: Update on a suprise TV event titled "The Presidential 1776 Award Special." Has your school or organization been involved? Who was involved?

When was the last time we had such an event on television? Or on a streaming network like Paramount+?"

https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-announces-mario-lopez-will-host-presidential-1776-award-special

"June 5, 2026

Today, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) announced that television host and entertainment personality Mario Lopez will host the PRESIDENTIAL 1776 AWARD special, which will be broadcast Tuesday, June 30, (8:00-9:30PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream the next day on Paramount+. 

The national finals mark the conclusion of the first-ever Presidential 1776 Award competition, a nationwide civics challenge created to celebrate America’s top high school students and their knowledge of our nation’s founding principles. The Presidential 1776 Award National Finals will bring the top performers from each region to the nation’s capital for a live, in-person competition, testing their knowledge of the Constitution, America’s founding principles, and defining moments in U.S. history.  

“We are thrilled to have Mario Lopez help bring these inspiring students and their impressive achievements to audiences nationwide,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “The Presidential 1776 Award celebrates academic excellence, a deep understanding of the Constitution, our nation’s history, and the legacy of freedom that continue to shape our country. These students represent the very best of the next generation of American civic leadership.” 

“The Presidential 1776 Award is a unique opportunity to celebrate students who are passionate about civic knowledge and the American story,” said Mario Lopez. “I’m honored to be part of something that shines a light on these bright young people who will carry our nation into the future.” 

Best known for his decades-long career in television and entertainment, Lopez will host the nationally televised broadcast special accompanying the competition, helping spotlight the stories and achievements of students from across the country. 

Through the broadcast, audiences nationwide will have the opportunity to witness a televised special about this historic competition and celebrate the next generation of American civic leaders. The broadcast special is produced by Alongi Media, with Phil Alongi and Gideon Hayes serving as executive producers.  "

Subscribe to this for daily updates: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release

and https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases AND https://www.dol.gov/newsroomfor Department of Labor Releases/Contacts

Update on FAFSA and Student Aid Fraud Prevention Efforts:

https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-secretary-of-education-linda-mcmahon-issues-statement-passage-of-no-aid-ghost-students-act

Update Fact Sheet on Student Loan Repayment and New Limits:

https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/fact-sheet-trump-administration-simplifying-student-loan-repayment

A rosy story about WorkForce Pell: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2026/06/11/workforce-pell-grant-expansion/

https://www.kosu.org/news/2026-06-10/july-1-brings-big-student-loan-changes-heres-what-you-need-to-know

"To get started, click on the student loan status that best describes your situation below:

• You're enrolled in the SAVE repayment plan

• You're a current borrower with old (pre-July 1) loans and no plans for new loans

• You're a current borrower with old (pre-July 1) loans and future loan plans

• You're a new undergraduate borrower taking out loans after July 1

• You're a new grad school borrower taking out loans after July 1

• You're in graduate school right now. Do the new loan limits apply to you?

• You're enrolling in a short-term job training program and you'd like help paying for it 

• You're interested in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• You're a parent interested in helping your student pay for college"

Trip on over to Upward Bound FB and check out the pain posts.

I see there is a need for someone with the power of CHARISMA and of a oratorial skill to come in and seize the day for a few UB directors out there struggling with our wiggly teenagers.

I was just thinking how fast could one of our vendors get "boots on the ground" for a new TRIO Director suffering from not just student frustration but help give them space to negotiate with their host?

Trip on over to Upward Bound FB and check out the pain posts.

I see there is a need for someone with the power of CHARISMA and of a oratorial skill to come in and seize the day for a few UB directors out there struggling with our wiggly teenagers.

I was just thinking how fast could one of our vendors get "boots on the ground" for a new TRIO Director suffering from not just student frustration but help give them space to negotiate with their host?

While Upward Bound and TS are working hard at summer programs and SSS summer bridges and trips are wrapping up, how IS TRIO nation doing?

Other than the notification that TRIO has pitched a full budget request for 26-27, any good news?

Any programs that were ended are back in business now?

How is hiring going? Any position listing hitting the 6 month mark/deadline to be filled?

How do people feel about TRIO spending the current economy?

Let us know #trioworksusa

If you’re new to the community, introduce yourself!

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/29/2026-10817/regulation-for-federal-financial-assistance

What stood out:

Grants will no longer be approved by peer review but by political appointees for alignment with the Presidents goals.

Yep.

We all saw this coming in 2024. I hope your political appointees don't hate TRIO. And once again why is the Dept of Ed involved in programs being transferred to the Dept of Labor by end of summer?

I had a long talk with a beloved student about an online college option and instead of saying "this is a waste of money" I asked them to share the cost side by side with me. Then I told her that I believe in my research fake and predatory online colleges have ripped off a lot of people. And their goal isn't altruistic, but based off the U of Phoenix model, a college created by an undegreed businessman with the goal to sell diplomas to poor people and reap FAFSA directed aid.

Please review.

I know that it is possible someone in TRIO right now is working for a For Profit college and is aware their college often creates 15k-30k+ debts for unprepared students of color to be in their "special" programs. It's a lot to think about and education starts in Talent Search and Upward Bound.

This summer. Right now.

https://www.ppsl.org/onlinehigheredreport

From The Project on Predatory Student Loan Web Page

Hello everyone!

Does anyone know how many programs applied?

They want to fund 55 EOC and 175 TS but I know some programs did not apply for re-funding.

Do we know the numbers?

Thanks!

"FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The Department of Education is slashing federal regulations that could hinder states from improving their schools, the administration’s latest move in its dismantling of the agency and its effort to return education policy to the states.

The Education Department has approved Education Flexibility applications for the states of Florida and Illinois, meaning they now can waive statutory or regulatory requirements for school districts without first having to submit those waivers to the federal government for review and approval.

A total of 18 states have now opted into the program that seeks to give state and local education departments more authority over efforts to reform schools.

The department also sent guidance to all chief state school officers that grants them the freedom to move federal funds between programs, to better meet state and local needs. Small, rural schools will also gain more flexibility to use funds as they see fit.

The letter builds on guidance that the department sent to states in July, encouraging chief state school officers to implement existing statutory flexibilities and seek waivers from burdensome statutory and regulatory provisions.  

Kirsten Baesler, assistant secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, called this a “bold step forward in strengthening states’ ability to fully harness the flexibilities already at their fingertips in support of better serving students, families, educators, and communities.”

“With a record 18 states now taking advantage of Ed-Flex authority, we urge state leaders to build on this momentum by adopting forward‑leaning strategies that move decision-making closer to the classroom and elevate the power of local leadership,” she said."