This went out via Congress Plus earlier today.

February 12, 2011

Dear Colleague:

Last night, House Republicans introduced a bill that not only cuts TRIO funding for the remainder of FY 2011 by 2.9% (for a loss of $24.9 million), but provides inadequate funding for programs important to the education of low-income and first-generation students and threatens our national security. If this bill is passed, 60,000 students could be kicked out of the Talent Search and EOC programs this year (programs funded by the FY 2011 bill) due to lack of funding and Congressional support. GEAR UP received a 6.1% cut in funding for FY 2011 for a loss of $19.8 million.

The Republican bill also drastically cuts funding for programs like Head Start, freezing funding for Pell Grants at last year’s level (therefore requiring maximum grant amounts to be reduced by more than $800 per student because of continued growth in the number of students eligible and the levels of financial need) and cutting services off for hundreds of thousands of students receiving services and funding from Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and funds for Asian American Pacific Islanders. The bill also eliminates the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) program (a program for undergraduates with exceptional financial need).  For a full list of cuts, please visit http://republicans.appropriations.house.gov/_files/ProgramCutsFY2011ContinuingResolution.pdf.   

The bill, cobbled together by the House Republicans, represents an assault on programs focused on providing services and opportunity to low-income Americans. COE urges all supporters of TRIO (including parents, staff, institution leaders, community activists and students) to contact their House Members immediately (contact information available at http://www.congressweb.com/t/l/?MZSGAPCRRYWNGVM) and demand that they not support this bill. Be ready to talk about the importance of these programs to your students, your institution and your community.    COE encourages you to contact all Members of the House on both sides of the aisle but if you are represented by a Republican, it is important you get everyone involved with your program to outreach to that office because it is a Republican bill.      

COE staff is here to assist you throughout the weekend and through the week.     Please contact Kimberly Jones ([log in to unmask], cell # 202.489.6745) or Heather Valentine ([log in to unmask], cell # 202.744.4043).    

In addition, President Obama will release his Budget proposal on Monday morning.  COE staff will update you as information is provided throughout the weekend and week.  

Sincerely,

Arnold L. Mitchem

President