TRIO Program Under Threat as DOGE Targets DOE

With the implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and Elon Musk being the lead, he is making it his mission to attack and destroy the very agencies that are responsible for keeping Americans afloat. Whether health, finances, transportation, etc., every federal agency is vulnerable to whatever plans Musk has. However, it seems as though the Department of Education (DOE) may be taking a blow that it can’t recover from.

The DOE is a composite of the country’s schools from Pre-K to top universities. Within the agency’s branch of control, it is responsible for hundreds of programs, including those that fall under the TRIO umbrella.

The federal TRIO Program is actually a group of eight separate programs designed to ensure that students who are first-generation college students, low-income, and/or have documented disabilities have access to resources that will allow them to succeed in college. These programs were installed during Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency, as part of the 1964 Higher Education Act.

One of the TRIO programs is the Student Support Services (SSS) program. SSS is a discretionary grant program that is a huge help on campuses, especially Paul Quinn College’s campus.

Historical HBCUs enroll a large number of students who are first-generation, low-income or have documented disabilities, and they thrive off the services that SSS provides. Recently, I sat down with Ms. Kelli Emerson, MBA, ABD, the current director of Paul Quinn’s SSS program to get more insight on the program, and how the bulldozer approach of DOGE – if successful in their attempt to eliminate DOE – will affect their students.

The TRIO funding is disbursed through a competition every five years. The competition is determining whether the TRIO funding for schools can either be increased or decreased. Currently, on PQC’s campus, the SSS program is responsible for 155 students, with even more on the waiting list.

“So, for instance, right now we currently serve 155 students. But our program is and has been so successful that we actually have students on our waiting list. So then there is the consideration to see if we need to up the number of students served.”

The funding that is disbursed to the SSS program is responsible for a multitude of things. Ms. Emerson added, “There is also room in the budget for us to have peer mentors and peer tutors, as well as to have professional tutors. Then there are other line items such as being able to take those cultural and educational groups that we provide to students because those expenses are covered.”

The funding is also available to help students gain scholarships in terms of grant aid. The aid is in the budget pool to allow students with Pell Grants to apply for scholarships to also help cover the cost of education.

When asked about how she feels about the potential loss of funding Ms. Emerson had this to say, “It’s very disheartening, and very sad.” She went on to further explain that the SSS/TRIO program isn’t about giving a handout to students, it is instead about tapping into the brilliance of students who before did not know how brilliant they could be.

Ajalon Washington, a senior student and the chapter president for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, has been a client of the SSS programs since his freshman year. He is a firm believer and supporter of the program due to the amount of resources, mentorship, and academic support he has received due to the program.

“Professionally, the program has connected me with networking opportunities, leadership development, and career readiness tools that have better prepared me for the workforce.”

Due to the DOGE and their threat to the DOE, Washington has said that the entire situation has created additional stress and challenges, especially for those who were already fighting for equal education.

Another student personally and professionally affected by the SSS program is Collegiate 100 Charter Member President, Trent D. Dixon. Dixon is a senior student who has been a client of SSS since his freshman year. He notes that his development as a student was made possible through the help of SSS and the mentorship of Ms. Emerson.

“Over the past four years, SSS has provided me with academic and mental support. Their guidance has helped me stay focused and motivated throughout my studies.”

It is no secret that the DOE’s status as a federal agency is in a limbo state. It also doesn’t help that the USDA has cut the funding to a scholarship that serves students who are from underserved communities, and who attend HBCUs. Only time will tell what could be devastating to students like Dixon and Washington who rely on help from Emerson and the SSS program.

Zahiyah Carter is a Gen Z writer based in Dallas. Her work focuses on topics that matter most to young people, from social issues and pop culture to technology and beyond.