Following Push from NH Delegation, Dept. of Education Releases Funding for TRIO Upward Bound Programs

Following the New Hampshire Congressional delegation’s calls for the Department of Education to issue the delayed Grant Award Notifications (GANs) for fiscal year 2026 TRIO Upward Bound programs, GANs have begun to be released. TRIO supports individuals from low-income backgrounds, students who would be the first person in their families to earn college degrees, students with disabilities, among others, in accessing and achieving postsecondary success. There are ten TRIO programs in operation across New Hampshire, including three Upward Bound programs.

"TRIO Upward Bound programs change lives. They give first-generation and low-income students the support and confidence to get to and through college," said Congressman Pappas. "I'm pleased the Department finally issued this June 1 grant award, but this should never have come down to the wire. Students and program staff deserve certainty, not last-minute chaos, and I will continue pushing for the Department of Education to restore the intended mission of TRIO Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers and issue future TRIO grant award notifications in time for programs to plan and operate without disruption."

“By helping Granite Staters prepare for academic success and become leaders and innovators, TRIO Upward Bound programs create life-changing opportunities for young people who wouldn’t otherwise have the support to pursue higher education,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m relieved that the Department of Education released this funding, but students and institutions should never have had to face this unnecessary uncertainty and anxiety in the first place.”

“The UNH TRIO Upward Bound program gives first-generation and low-income New Hampshire youth transformative opportunities for academic and professional growth,” said Senator Hassan. “I’m glad to see that the Department has finally released funding for the program, but it should never have taken this long. My New Hampshire colleagues and I will keep fighting to put college within reach for all Granite Staters.”

“I am relieved that the life-changing work of New Hampshire’s TRIO Upward Bound programs will continue uninterrupted,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “But for the second year in a row, the Department of Education has created needless chaos by slow-rolling funding that is a genuine lifeline for New Hampshire students and educators. I will not quit fighting for every penny promised to our people.” 

“We are incredibly thankful to Congressman Chris Pappas, and the entire New Hampshire Congressional delegation, for their swift and continued advocacy on behalf of TRIO programs across the state. Had the June 1 Upward Bound Grant Award Notification been delayed for the UNH program, the consequences would have been significant. Without the timely release of federal funding, we would have faced the very real possibility of suspending operations, including our Summer Academy - the cornerstone experience for the 114 high school students we serve each year,” said Josh Gagnon, Immediate Past NH Educational Opportunity Association President and current Director of the UNH TRIO Upward Bound program. “TRIO programs like Upward Bound continue to receive strong bipartisan support in Congress because they know that TRIO Works! The majority of our students come from low-income families and will be the first in their family to attend college, and they consistently exceed federal objectives. This past year, 96% of graduating seniors enrolled in college immediately following high school graduation, 80% earned New Hampshire Scholars designation through completion of a rigorous curriculum, and nearly 80% of our alumni earned their college degree. The timely release of TRIO funding ensures that students can continue receiving the academic support, college advising, career exploration, and transformative educational opportunities that prepare them for future success.”

Background:

The New Hampshire delegation previously called on the Trump administration to restore Congressionally-approved funding for the Education Alliance for New Hampshire’s Statewide Family Engagement Center grant and TRIO grants for the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Talent Search and McNair programs. They also called on the administration to restore funding for New Hampshire’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Following their advocacy, it was announced in March of 2026 that funding would be restored for the McNair and Educational Talent Search programs, and the delegation continues to advocate against efforts by the Trump administration to weaken and undermine other TRIO programs.