The Prosper Act and TRIO Students

Dear Parents of Upward Bound Terry Campus Students,

Many of you and your children attended the National TRiO Day celebration this past Saturday. I wanted to thank you for your support of our programs. During our day, our keynote speaker, Mr. Scott Robertson, pointed out the eminent threat to TRiO programs proposed by President Trump.

For those who were not in attendance, I will briefly recap: In the president’s proposed 2019 budget, not only will much of the financial aid low-income families have relied on for years (i.e. Pell Grants, work study, etc.) disappear, but TRiO programs will be consolidated in a lump-grant type program and states given more responsibility in paying for our programs; this portion of the budget is referred as the Prosper Act. Currently, the federal government pays the state of Delaware 8% of our grant fund total to help keep our programs running. Under the proposed budget, not only will the state lose that 8% funding, but will be expected to pay 20% of the total funds per program. Delaware Technical Community College alone has 6 TRiO programs.

Mr. Robertson clearly explained the situation with all who attended our event, and asked, as I do now, for every person supported by a TRiO program to reach out to our members of Congress. Give testimonials of how TRiO (Upward Bound) has benefitted you and your children. Tell them why it is imperative to continue to fund our programs.

I urge you to reach out in any way possible, social media, writing letters, phone calls, to our members of Congress. What your children rely on now may not be around next year.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please call me at (302) 857-1418 or email me at hhoffer@dtcc.edu.

Thank you very much for your time in reading this letter and your continued support of your children and their future!

Best wishes,

Dr. Harry Hoffer

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