What the Future Holds for Federal TRIO Programs

About this episode

The episode discusses the future of federal TRIO programs with Kimberly Jones, focusing on potential government shutdowns and accreditation changes.

Questions about the future of federal TRIO programs—academic and support services for low-income, first-generation, and disabled students—come up more than almost any other topic on the podcast. We're joined this week by Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education, for a conversation about where TRIO stands and what may be ahead. We begin with some speculation on whether or not we're heading toward a partial government shutdown, and the latest on the Department of Education's moves on accreditation. Here are some of the links and references from this week's show: Contact Congress to Urge a Broader Professional Degree Definition 2026 Winter Term Pulse Point Survey (PDF) Appropriations House Passes FY 2026 Spending Package Preserving Education and Research Funding as Senate Showdown Looms ACE | Jan. 26, 2026 ACE, Higher Ed Groups Urge Congress to Safeguard FY 2026 Education Funding ACE | Oct. 1, 2025 Letter to Congress on MSI Funding ACE | Oct. 3, 2025 Legal Updates Education Dept. Drops Appeal of Court Order Blocking Anti-DEI Guidance Inside Higher Ed | Jan. 22, 2026 Higher Ed Groups Back Harvard in Appeal Challenging Trump Proclamation on International…

People in this episode

Guest: Kimberly Jones

Topics covered

• federal TRIO programs
• education funding
• government shutdown
• accreditation
• support services
• first-generation students

Keywords

• TRIO programs
• education
• first-generation students
• government shutdown
• accreditation
• support services
• Department of Education

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Council for Opportunity in Education, Department of Education, ACE, Inside Higher Ed

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