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                                           $350M for Minority Serving Institutions Withheld, TRIO Delayed — Gomez Warns Students Will Pay the Price

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) blasts the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, and Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russel Vought, and urges the Trump Administration to immediately reverse its decision to cancel and delay federal funding for Federal TRIO programs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

In his letter, Rep. Gomez highlighted that TRIO programs serve more than 800,000 low-income and first-generation students annually, while MSIs provide critical support for historically underrepresented communities. Together, these programs expand access to higher education and create pathways for upward mobility.

"Dismantling funding for TRIO programs and MSIs would cause irreparable harm to my constituents,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “TRIO alums and graduates from MSIs are often first-generation college graduates and return to their community to empower others to pursue higher education and contribute to the common good."

Rep. Gomez noted that withholding $350 million in MSI funding and delaying TRIO grant notifications will devastate colleges and universities across the country, including institutions in Los Angeles. Many of these schools serve students from neighborhoods like Boyle Heights, Koreatown, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Highland Park, communities where TRIO programs and MSIs have opened doors to higher education for generations.

By rescinding resources already approved by Congress, the Administration is undermining opportunities for upward mobility, community development, and economic advancement.

Read the full letter here