As we write to you, legislators are looking for ways to reduce the federal deficit – and TRIO, GEAR UP and other low-income programs are in serious jeopardy of major cuts or elimination. These cuts will cost thousands of jobs and put the hundreds of thousands of students in jeopardy.

Your legislators will be locally accessible over the next two weeks. (Representatives will be in their Districts from June 25 – July 5. Senators will be home from July 2-10.) Therefore, the time to act is now! To help you in this effort, the attached packet includes:

·        Debt Ceiling Call to Action – Page 2

·        Social Media Call to Action – Page 4

·        TRIO Outlook After HR 1473 – Page 5

·        General Talking Points – Page 6

·        Upward Bound Talking Points – Page 7

·        Sample Student Letters – Pages 8-14

·        Sample Alumni Letter – Page 15

·        Sample Parent Letter – Page 16

·        Sample Institutional President Letter – Page 17

A copy of the packet is also available on the Government Relations bulletin board at: http://www.congressweb.com/t/l/?WTYFRXHWVSOKFLG.




The message is simple: DO NOT CUT TRIO IN FY 2012! These programs are the foundation of higher education success for underrepresented populations across America.  

If you have not already done so, please contact each of your legislators’ offices to find out what local events (town hall meetings, open forums, etc.) they are sponsoring during the Independence Day recess period. You should also sign up for their newsletters to ensure that you receive the latest information about public appearances and legislative efforts by your Senators and Representatives. (If you need contact information for your legislators, you may find it by visiting http://www.contactingthecongress.org/.)

Remember that the Government Relations team at the Council is here to work with you. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Together we will win this battle and preserve opportunity for low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities.

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