SWASAP - Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs

🚨 TRIO community—this is urgent.

COE is calling out a new federal proposal that could gut the Talent Search program and reshape its mission entirely.

What’s at risk:
❌ Services for 300,000 students
❌ Up to two-thirds of programs nationwide
❌ The core mission of helping students get to college

Instead of expanding opportunity, this proposal shifts focus toward workforce pipelines for middle and high school students—potentially redirecting students away from higher education altogether.

“This is a direct assault on educational opportunity,” said COE President Kimberly Jones.

📢 Now is the time to speak up.
📖 Read the full statement and understand what’s at stake: https://coenet.org/news-impact/press-release/the-council-for-opportunity-in-education-condemns-latest-trio-grant-proposal-calls-it-direct-assault-on-college-access/

The Council for Opportunity in Education Condemns Latest TRIO Grant Proposal, Calls It “Direct Assault on College Access” - Council for Opportunity in Education COE is urging Congress to immediately intervene and force the Department of Education to rescind its FY 2026 Talent Search proposal, warning that it would abandon the federal commitment to college access for low-income and first-generation students.

Listen to this recent episode of the ACE dotEDU Podcast, featuring COE President Jones in a wide-ranging and candid conversation about the state of TRIO. Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance (ODSA)
https://www.acenet.edu/Pages/dotedu/148-Future-of-TRIO.aspx

📣 SWASAP Members — The 3rd Edition of SWASAP TIMES Is Coming!

We’re thrilled to announce that the next issue of SWASAP TIMES—our quarterly regional newsletter—is in development! This publication uplifts our member states, revitalizes SWASAP communications, and shines a light on the incredible work happening across our TRIO community.

And we want YOU to be part of it. Don’t get left out!
We invite TRIO programs across the SWASAP region to submit:
✨ Program highlights
✨ Student success stories
✨ Alumni spotlights
✨ Event recaps
✨ Staff achievements
✨ Photos, announcements & updates

When we share our success, we all grow stronger. Let’s come together to elevate the impact of TRIO across the SWASAP region and celebrate the work transforming lives every day.

📩 Submit your publication requests here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPoH9pAYfXeZvu9PIRTAWObrPlEpRjwYC8KfnTEdYMzDN1bw/viewform

Thank you for your continued excellence and for helping us keep our TRIO family connected, inspired, and informed.

With appreciation,
SWASAP Publications & Communications Committee