Reps. Ritchie Torres and Adriano Espaillat Lead Bronx Congressional Delegation in Urging Education Department to Protect TRIO Programs

Resources / In the News Share on Reps. Ritchie Torres and Adriano Espaillat Lead Bronx Congressional Delegation in Urging Education Department to Protect TRIO Programs Apr 30, 2026 In the News WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressmen Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), joined by Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and George Latimer (NY-16), sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon raising serious concerns about proposed changes to federal TRIO programs that support low-income and first-generation students. TRIO is a federal initiative that helps students who face barriers to higher education get to college and complete a degree. In the Bronx, that often means working with students whose families have never gone through the college process or who lack access to consistent academic support. Talent Search programs work with students from middle school through high school, helping them stay on track academically and navigate applications and financial aid. Educational Opportunity Centers focus on adults who want to return to school, providing direct support so they can apply, enroll, and move forward with a career path. In the letter, the members urge the Department of Education to rescind the current Fiscal Year 2026 grant applications for the Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) programs, warning that the proposed changes would move TRIO away from its core purpose and limit access for the students who depend on it. The lawmakers point to a fundamental shift in how the programs would operate. The new applications would push grantees toward workforce training and apprenticeships, even though TRIO was created to support college access. They argue that redirecting the program in this way would weaken the academic support students rely on to prepare for and succeed in higher education. They also raise concerns about how the grants would be awarded. The proposal allows state-level entities to compete for large awards that could displace local organizations with long-standing ties to students and families. At the same time, the total number of grantees would drop sharply, which would reduce the number of students served and concentrate funding in fewer hands. For the Bronx, the impact would be significant. In FY25 alone, Talent Search programs served nearly 3,900 students in grades 6 through 12, and EOC programs supported around 1,000 adult learners, representing a large share of participants statewide. Any disruption to these programs would be felt quickly by students who rely on consistent, hands-on guidance to stay on track. Because of these changes, the delegation is calling on the Department to withdraw the current applications, extend existing grants to prevent interruptions in service, and work with Congress on a revised approach that keeps TRIO focused on college access and completion. The full letter reads: “On behalf of the students, families, and institutions we represent in the Bronx, we write with significant concerns about the Fiscal Year 2026 grant applications recently released for the TRIO Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) programs. The grant structure outlined in the applications reflects a dramatic shift in mission and redirects funds from the core purpose of these programs. Given these factors, along with the limited timeline associated with the competitions, we respectfully urge the Administration to rescind the current applications and work with Congress to revise and reissue them. We also request that the Administration ensure there is no lapse in funding for any Talent Search or EOC projects, which are scheduled to expire on August 31, 2026, and a call with you at your earliest convenience to discuss these concerns directly. “While all TRIO programs support postsecondary access in general, the purpose of TRIO is to promote college awareness, preparation, and completion for low-income, potential first-generation college students. The Higher Education Act requires Talent Search programs serving students in grades 6 through 12 to provide “high quality academic tutoring services,” along with assistance preparing for college entrance examinations, completing admission applications, and identifying financial aid. (20 U.S.C. § 1070a-12(b).) EOCs are similarly required to assist adult learners with academic, admissions, and financial aid supports. (20 U.S.C. § 1070a-16(a).) Yet the notices inviting applications require applicants to reorient programming around registered apprenticeships, work-based learning, and career and technical education. Congress has enacted separate vehicles to support workforce training, including Workforce Pell in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21). TRIO is an education program, and it should remain one. “We are also concerned that the applications restructure the programs in ways that significantly disadvantage current grantees. First, they broaden eligibility to state education